proposal for fisheries management measures for the ... · final_proposal for fisheries management...

Proposal for Fisheries Management Measures for the

protection of reef structures (H1170) in Natura 2000

sites located in Danish territorial waters in western

Baltic Sea

Draft submission to the European Commission

Draft proposal for Fisheries Management Measures under article 11 and 18 of Regulation (EU)

No 1380/2013 of The European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the

Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No

1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and

Council Decision 2004/585/EC

FINAL_Proposal for fisheries management measures in Danish Natura 2000 sites in the Western Baltic Sea

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Content Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Sammenfatning...................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7

1.1 General remarks .......................................................................................................................................................... 7

1.2 Overall aim of the present proposal ............................................................................................................................ 8

1.3 Recommendations to be implemented ....................................................................................................................... 9

2. Legal framework .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 2.1 Common Fisheries Policy ........................................................................................................................................... 10

2.2 Access to the Danish Natura sites ............................................................................................................................. 11

2.3 Implementation of Natura 2000 in Denmark ............................................................................................................ 11

2.3.1 Designation of Natura 2000 sites in Denmark ................................................................................................... 12 2.3.2 Mapping of marine Natura 2000 sites ............................................................................................................... 13

3. Process ............................................................................................................................................................................. 14 3.1 National coordination and consultation .................................................................................................................... 14

3.1.1 Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum ............................................................................................................................. 14 3.1.2 Meetings with stakeholders ............................................................................................................................... 15 3.1.3 Involvement of Parliament and Committees within the Ministry of Environment and Food............................ 15 3.1.4 Peer review of the proposal ............................................................................................................................... 16

3.2 International coordination – regionalization ............................................................................................................ 16

3.2.1. Consultation with Member States and the European Commission ................................................................. 16 3.2.2 Informal consultations with other Member States ........................................................................................... 17 3.2.3 Consultations with Advisory Councils ............................................................................................................... 17

4. Principles and rationale ................................................................................................................................................... 18 5. Scope of the present proposal ......................................................................................................................................... 21

5.1 Description of the Natura 2000 sites concerned ....................................................................................................... 21

5.1.1 Natura 2000 site: Adler Grund og Rønne Banke ................................................................................................ 25 5.1.2 Natura 2000 site: Centrale Storebælt og Vresen ........................................................................................................ 26

5.1.3 Natura 2000 site: Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als ......................................................... 27 5.2 Description of proposed fisheries management measures....................................................................................... 28

5.2.1 Purpose of the present proposal ....................................................................................................................... 28 5.2.2 Assessment of adequacy, proportionality and the precautionary principle ...................................................... 28

6. Restriction of fisheries within the Danish Natura 2000 sites ........................................................................................... 30 6.1 Fleet activity and type of fisheries ............................................................................................................................ 30

6.2 Target species and annual trends .............................................................................................................................. 31

6.3 Displacement ............................................................................................................................................................. 42

6.4 Control, enforcement and monitoring ...................................................................................................................... 42

6.4.1 Control and enforcement ................................................................................................................................... 43 6.4.2 The national monitoring program – NOVANA ................................................................................................... 43

6.4.3 Expected outcome of the proposed fisheries management measures ...................................................................... 44 References ........................................................................................................................................................................... 45 List of Annexes ..................................................................................................................................................................... 47


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Summary For the implementation of the EU Nature directives (Habitat- and Birds Directives), Denmark has designated

97 marine Natura 2000 sites in Danish territorial waters of the Western Baltic, Kattegat, Skagerrak and the

North Sea. A total of 65 sites have been designated for the protection of reef structures with the following

habitat codes: H1170 (reefs) and H1180 (submarine structures made by leaking gasses). In general, the

conservation status of reef structures in the Danish Natura 2000 sites are classified as unfavorable due to

physical disturbances and high nutrient content in the water column.

The overall aim of the present proposal is to ensure adequate protection of reef structures from fishery,

and thereby contribute to the obligation of achieving favorable conservation status for these habitat types

in accordance with Article 6 (2) of the Habitats Directive.

The present proposal entails fishery management measures for a total of three sites:

One Natura 2000 site is located in the Danish Exclusive Economic zone in the Baltic Sea (outside 12

nautical miles):

1. Adler Grund og Rønne Banke (EU site code: DK00VA261)

Two Natura 2000 sites are located in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea between the baseline and

12 nautical miles:

2. Centrale Storebælt og Vresen (EU site code: DK008X190)

3. Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als (EU site code: DK00VA254)

A range of the Baltic countries have fishing opportunities in the Danish part of the Western Baltic Sea

(outside 12 nautical miles) – Sweden, Germany, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland in some

degree. Sweden and Germany also have fishing rights inside 12 nautical miles.

Fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting gear is proposed to be prohibited in areas mapped as reefs

(habitat code H1170). The reef structures mapped in the Natura 2000 sites will be protected from impact

from fishing activity by placement of buffer zones around the reef structures.

Scientific advice from Aarhus University (Danish Centre for Environment and Energy) and the Danish

Technical University (Institute for Aquatic Resources) and ICES alongside the site specific Natura 2000

management plans and mapping of marine habitats, serve as the basis for the proposed fishery

management measures. These measures supplement the fisheries management measures submitted to

the EU Commission in March 2015 for protection of reef structures in 10 Danish Natura 2000 sites located

in the Danish part of the Kattegat/North Sea and Western Baltic Sea within the 12 nautical mile zone.

These proposals were submitted as joint recommendations by Denmark, Sweden and Germany and

adopted as a delegated act in summer 2015. The Delegated Act came into force 1 January 2016.

The Danish part of the western Baltic Sea is an important fishing area for especially Denmark, Sweden and

Germany, and to some extent also to Poland. However, analyses of fishery data show that the proposed

management measures will have a limited or no impact on current fishing activity when looking at the

period 2011-2015.

In general, fishing activity does not take place in areas characterized as reefs in these sites. In 2011-2015,

there have been no records of Swedish fishery in two of the three Natura 2000 sites. German fishery in the

period 2010-2012 is primarily conducted with bottom contacting gear in all three sites. However, it is still

important to ensure full protection of reef structures in the sites in accordance with the Habitats Directive,

also for future fisheries. Polish fishery is limited in and around the site “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”.

Estonian fishery is limited around the same site.


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It is the intention of the Danish government (initiating Member State) to take measures i.a. with respect to

fishing activities exercised by all vessels including fishing vessels carrying the flag of other Member States

of the EU. In order to apply these measures to all vessels, Denmark, as the initiating Member State, has in

accordance with EP/Council Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the Common Fisheries Policy (Basic

Regulation), consulted Sweden, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania, the Baltic Sea

Advisory Council (BSAC), ICES, the Commission, national fishermen associations/organizations and NGOs.

The proposed fisheries management measures supplement regulation of e.g. extraction of sand and gravel

(regulated through art 6.3) as well as on-going initiatives to reduce nutrient flow from terrestrial sources,

as these are estimated to be the main pressures to the conservation status for reef structures in Danish

waters.

The present proposal is submitted to the European Commission jointly by Denmark, Sweden and Germany

for the two sites located within the 12 nautical mile zone and by all BALTFISH Member States for the site

located in the EEZ, in accordance with the Basic Regulation, Article 11 and 18. A similar proposal for

fisheries management measures for protection of reef structures have been formulated for 4 Natura 2000

sites in the Danish part of the Kattegat.


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Sammenfatning

Danmark har som led i implementeringen af EU’s naturdirektiver (habitat- og fuglebeskyttelsesdirektivet)

udpeget 97 marine Natura 2000 områder i den danske del af den vestlige Østersø, Kattegat og Skagerrak.

Der er i alt udpeget 65 Natura 2000 områder for rev med habitatkoderne H1170 (rev) og H1180 (boblerev

med udsivende metangas fra undergrunden). Revs bevaringsstatus er ifølge områdernes naturplaner

generelt angivet som ugunstig som følge af fysisk påvirkning og højt næringsstofindhold i vandsøjlen.

Den overordnede målsætning med nærværende forslag er, i overensstemmelse med habitatdirektivets

artikel 6, stk. 2, at sikre tilstrækkelig beskyttelse af revstrukturer i forhold til fiskeri som led i opnåelsen af

gunstig bevaringsstatus for disse habitattyper.

Nærværende forslag omfatter fiskeriregulering i tre Natura 2000 områder.

Et område er lokaliseret udenfor 12 sømil grænsen i den dansk eksklusive økonomiske zone (EEZ):


To områder er lokaliseret mellem basislinjen og 12 sømilegrænsen:



Forslag til fiskeriregulering omfatter forbud mod anvendelse af bundgående redskaber i områder kortlagt

som rev (habitatkode H1170). De kortlagte revstrukturer sikres beskyttelse mod fiskeriaktiviteter ved

placering af en bufferzone omkring revene.

Videnskabelig rådgivning fra Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (Institut for Akvatiske Ressourcer), Aarhus

Universitet (Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi) samt ICES danner sammen med områdernes naturplaner

og kortlægning, grundlaget for de fremlagte forslag til fiskeriforanstaltninger. De foreslåede

fiskeriforanstaltninger supplerer de forslag, som blev fremsendt til EU Kommission i marts 2015 for

beskyttelse af rev i 10 Natura 2000 områder i forhold til fysisk påvirkning som følge af fiskeri med

bundslæbende redskaber. Områderne er placeret i den danske del af Kattegat/Nordsøen og vestlige

Østersø indenfor 12 sømilegrænsen. De danske forslag blev fremsendt til EU Kommissionen i form af en

fælles henstilling fra Danmark, Sverige og Tyskland, og blev vedtaget som en delegeret retsakt sommeren

2015.

Sverige, Tyskland, Estland, Litauen, Polen (og i nogen grad også Letland og Finland) har fiskerirettigheder i

den danske del af den vestlige Østersø. Sverige og Tyskland har også fiskerirettigheder indenfor 12 sømil

fra den danske kyst. Østersøen er et vigtigt område for især dansk og tysk fiskeri. Analyser af

fiskeriaktiviteter i Østersøen for perioden 2011-2015 viser dog, at de foreslåede fiskeriforanstaltninger ikke

vil have betydende effekt på den måde fiskeri udøves i området. Der er i perioden 2011-2015 ikke

registreret svensk fiskeri i de tre områder. Tysk fiskeri i perioden 2011-2015 med bundgående redskaber i

alle tre Natura 2000 områder. Polsk fiskeridata viser fiskeri omkring området ”Adler Grund og Rønne

Banke”, dog ikke i områder kortlagt som rev. Estiske fiskeridata viser fiskeri omkring samme område.

Generelt set fiskes der ikke i områderne kortlagt som rev. I henhold til habitatdirektivet er det midlertidigt

vigtigt, at kortlagte revstrukturer sikres fuld beskyttelse mod fysisk påvirkning, også i forhold til fremtidige

aktiviteter.

Den danske regering ønsker (som initiativtagende medlemsstat), at gennemføre fiskeriforanstaltninger,

som gælder samtlige fartøjer, herunder fartøjer fra andre flagstater, som udøver fiskeri i de pågældende

Natura 2000 områder. For at de foreslåede foranstaltninger kan omfatte samtlige fartøjer, har Danmark i

overensstemmelse med EP/Rådsforordning nr. 1380/2013 om den fælles fiskeripolitik

(Grundforordningen), konsulteret Sverige, Tyskland, Estland, Polen, Letland, Finland, Litauen, det


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Rådgivende Råd for Østersøen (BSAC), ICES, EU Kommissionen, nationale fiskeriforeninger/organisationer

og NGO´er.

Den foreslåede fiskeriregulering supplerer andre tiltag i relation til fx råstofindvinding og klapning samt

reduktion af udledning af næringsstoffer fra terrestriske kilder.

Nærværende forslag er fremsendt til EU Kommissionen i form af fælles henstilling af de danske, svenske

og tyske fiskerimyndigheder for de to områder indenfor 12 sømilegrænsen og af alle de baltiske lande

under BALTFISH samarbejdet for området i den danske EEZ. Fremsendelsen sker således i

overensstemmelse med artikel 11 og 18 i Grundforordningen. Et tilsvarende forslag til

fiskeriforanstaltninger for beskyttelse af rev i 4 Natura 2000 områder i den danske del af Kattegat er

ligeledes udarbejdet.


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1. Introduction

1.1 General remarks This document contains a proposal for regulation of fishing activities in the Danish part of the western

Baltic Sea for the protection of reef structures designated under the Habitats Directive.

For the implementation of the EU Nature directives (Habitat1 and Birds Directives2), Denmark has

designated 97 marine Natura 2000 sites in Danish territorial waters in the western Baltic, Kattegat,

Skagerrak and the North Sea, see Annex A for map of the Danish marine Natura 2000 network. A total of

65 Natura 2000 sites have been designated for reef structures (habitat code: H1170 - reefs and H1180 –

submarine structures made of leaking gasses, also known as bubbling reefs).

The present proposal entails fisheries management measures in three Natura 2000 sites located in the

western part of the Baltic Sea:

One Natura 2000 site located in the Danish Exclusive Economic zone in the Baltic Sea (outside 12 nautical

miles):


Two Natura 2000 sites located in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea between the baseline and 12

nautical miles:



A similar proposal for fisheries management measures have been formulated for protection of reef

structures in four Danish Natura 2000 sites located in the Danish part of the Kattegat/North Sea.

According to EP/Council Regulation (EU) No 2072/2015 Annex I, Sweden and Germany have fishing

opportunities within 12 nautical miles in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea. Council Regulation (EU)

No. 106/2015, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland have fishing opportunities

in the Danish EEZ of the Western Baltic Sea. It is the intention of the Danish government (initiating

Member State) to take measures i.e. with respect to fishing activities exercised by all vessels including

fishing vessels carrying the flag of other Member States of the EU.

This document covers the 11 information items of the Commission’s guidelines from 2008 concerning

development of proposals for fisheries management measures in marine Natura 2000 sites within the

scope of the Common Fisheries Policy (see Annex D for an overview of how the present proposal has

covered the information 11 items).

In order to apply these measures to all vessels, Denmark, as the initiating Member State, has in

accordance with EP/Council Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the Common Fisheries Policy (Basic

Regulation), consulted Sweden, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Lithuania, the Baltic Sea

Advisory Council, ICES and the Commission, as described in section 3.2. The present proposal is submitted

to the European Commission jointly by the BALTFISH Member States (Denmark, Sweden and Germany for

the sites located within the 12 nautical mile zone and for all Member States for the site in the Danish EEZ

in accordance with the Basic Regulation, Articles 11 and 18.

1 Council Directive 92/43/EEC, of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1992L0043:20070101:EN:PDF 2 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:020:0007:0025:en:PDF

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1992L0043:20070101:EN:PDF

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:020:0007:0025:en:PDF


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1.2 Overall aim of the present proposal The overall aim of the present proposal is to ensure adequate protection of designated reef structures from

fishing activities and thereby to contribute to the obligation of achieving favorable conservation status for

the habitat type H1170 in accordance with art. 6 (2) of the Habitats Directive, stating that Member States

shall take appropriate steps to avoid the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species as

well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated.

According to the Natura 2000 plans for the sites concerned, fishing activities with mobile bottom contacting

gear is specified as a threat to reef structures3. In the site specific management plans, conservation status

of the reef structures is given as ‘unfavorable’ due to physical disturbances and a relatively high level of

nutrients in the water column4. It is generally agreed that fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting

gear has an impact on reef structures – both in terms of physical disturbance to the reef structure itself as

well as to the biodiversity found at the reef (Freese et al. 1999; Kaiser et al. 2002; ICES 2009; Howarth et

al. 2015 and physical disturbance likely caused by trawling are also reported from a reef in Danish water;

Dahl 2005)5. A detailed description of the three Natura 2000 sites is given in section 5.1.

Denmark (The Danish AgriFish Agency) is therefore proposing to restrict fishing activities with mobile

bottom contacting gear in areas mapped as reefs (H1170). The content of the proposed fisheries

management measures is explained in more detail in section 5.2. The proposed restrictions are identical

and supplementary to fisheries management measures in four coastal Natura 2000 sites under Danish

sovereignty, which came into force on 1 September 2013 and the delegated act, (EU) 2015/1778,

concerning fisheries management measures in ten Natura 2000 sites in Danish waters. The proposals for

fisheries management measures were sent to the EU Commission on 15 March 2015 in the form of joint

recommendations by Denmark, Sweden and Germany. The Delegated Act came into force on 1 January

2016.

The present proposal has been peer reviewed by The Danish Technical University and Aarhus University

(see section 3.1.4).

3 Link Management Plans: http://svana.dk/natur/natura-2000/natura-2000-planer/natura-2000-planer-2009-15/ 4 Adler Grund: management plan to be adopted during 2016 – also here reefs will be given in unfavorable conservation status. 5 Freese, et al. 1999 – Effects of trawling on seafloor habitat and associated invertebrate taxa in the Gulf of Alaska. Marine Ecology-Progress series 182: 119-126; Dahl, K. 2005: Effekter af fiskeri på stenrevs algevegetation. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 16 s. – Faglig rapport fra DMU nr. 526; Kaiser, M. J., Collie, J. S., Hall, S. J., Jennings, S. and Poiner, I. R. (2002), Modification of marine habitats by trawling activities: prognosis and solutions. Fish and Fisheries, 3: 114–136; ICES. 2009. Report of the EMPAS project (Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Protected Areas), 2006‐2008, an ICES‐BfN project. 123 pp.; ICES. 2006. Report of the Working Group on Ecosystem Effects of

Fishing Activities (WGECO), 5 12 April 2006 , ICES Headquarters, Copenhagen. ACE:05. 174 pp; Howarth et al. 2015 – Sessile and mobile components of a benthic ecosystem display mixed trends within a temperate marine reserve. Marine Environmental Research 107: 8-23.

http://svana.dk/natur/natura-2000/natura-2000-planer/natura-2000-planer-2009-15/


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1.3 Recommendations to be implemented The present proposal applies to:

- A ban for fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting gear in areas mapped as reefs (H1170).

Protection of reefs (habitat code H1170)

The outlined zones with mapped reefs (H1170) and the surrounding buffer zones will be closed for the

following mobile bottom contacting gear types, see table 1 below:

Table 1: Gear codes for the banned gear types.

Gear types that are

banned in the closed

zones

Habitat code Gear code Annex XI in

EU Regulation No.

404/2011

International standard

Classification of Fishing

Gears (ISSCFG)

Beam trawl 1170 TBB TBB

Bottom trawl / otter

trawl

1170 OTB, OTT, PTB, TBN,

TBS, TB

OTB, OTT, OT, PTB, TB

Seine nets 1170 SDN, SSC, SX, SV SB, SV, SDN, SSC, SPR,

SX

Dredges 1170 DRB DRB, DRH

The outline of the areas, in which these fishing activities are proposed to be banned, are given in section

5.1.1-5.1.3 and 6.2. Annex I gives the coordinates for the proposed buffer zones for the three Natura 2000

sites concerned.


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2. Legal framework

This chapter describes the legal framework of the present proposal; the Common Fisheries Policy, the

“TAC’s and Fishing opportunities for 2016” (Council Regulation 2072/2015, Annex C and the

implementation of Natura 2000 in Danish waters by the Danish government.

2.1 Common Fisheries Policy According to the Common Fisheries Policy (Regulation No 1380/2013 (The Basic Regulation)) Article 11,

Member States are empowered to adopt conservation measures not affecting fishing vessels of other

Member States that are applicable to waters under their sovereignty or jurisdiction and that are necessary

to comply with their obligations under Article 6 of Directive 92/43/EEC, Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC

and Article 13(4) of Directive 2008/56/EC.

Where a Member State (“initiating Member State”) considers that measures need to be adopted for the

purpose of complying with the obligations referred to above, and other Member States have a direct

management interest in the fishery to be affected by such measures, the European Commission shall be

empowered to adopt such measures, upon request, by means of delegated acts. For this purpose

cooperation between Member States having a direct management interest6 is foreseen with a view to

formulating a joint recommendation in agreement on draft fisheries management measures to be

forwarded to the Commission.

The initiating Member State shall provide the Commission and the other Member States having a direct

management interest with relevant information on the measures required, including their rationale,

scientific evidence in support and details on their practical implementation and enforcement. Member

States shall consult the relevant Advisory Councils.

The initiating Member State and the other Member States having a direct management interest may

submit a joint recommendation within six months from the provision of sufficient information. The

Commission shall adopt the measures, taking into account any available scientific advice, within three

months from receipt of a complete request (Reg. 1380/2013, Articles 11 and 18).

Since other Member States have fishing opportunities in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea,

Denmark, as the initiating Member State, has taken steps to jointly propose a set of management

measures, which will apply to all fishing vessels carrying out fishing activities in the concerned sites. For

the two sites located within the 12 nautical mile zone, only Germany and Sweden have fishing rights, see

section 2.2. For the site located in the Danish part of the EEZ of the Baltic Sea all BALTFISH Member States

have fishing opportunities according to the “TAC’s and Fishing opportunities for 2016”, see Annex C.

The proposed fisheries management measures for protection of reef structures from fishery with certain

gear types is based on the Commission’s guidance document “Fisheries measures for marine Natura 2000

sites – A consistent approach to request for fisheries management measures under the Common Fisheries

Policy (2008)”7. This document provides guidance on how Member States should prepare a proposal for

fisheries management measures within the CFP framework, for delivering Natura 2000 conservation

objectives.

6 Basic Regulation 1380/2013, art. 4, § 1, no. 22; “Member State having a direct management interest means a Member State which has an interest consisting of either fishing opportunities or a fishery taking place in the exclusive economic zone of the Member State concerned”. 7 Link Guidance document: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/marine/docs/fish_measures.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/marine/docs/fish_measures.pdf


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The guidance document provides the basis for the present proposal. The 11 information items given in the

guidance document, provides the structure of the present proposal. Annex D gives an overview of how the

present proposal deals with the 11 information items.

The following chapters describe how Denmark, as the initiating Member State, has taken the Commission’s

criteria for decision making into account – as well as the requirements for regional coordination in line with

the new Basic Regulation.

2.2 Access to the Danish Natura sites Access to the concerned Natura 2000 sites depends on the location of the site.

Access to the concerned sites located in the Danish Exclusive Zone of the western Baltic Sea is outlined in

Council Regulation (EU) No. 2072/20158, which states that a number of Member States have access

(fishing opportunities) in the Danish Exclusive Economic Zone in the ICES areas IIIc 22 and IIId 24 (Belt

Sea and western Baltic), see Annex C. However, not all the listed Member States carry out fishing activity

in the areas concerned (subdivision 22-24). Only Sweden, Germany, Poland and Estonia have so far

forwarded fishery data.

According to EP/Council Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 Annex I, Germany and Sweden have fishing rights

within 12 nautical miles in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea.

Denmark has therefore requested for fishery data for fishing activities carried out in the Belt Sea and the

Danish part of the Western Baltic area as well as within the Natura 2000 sites for the period 2011-2015 –

as required in the Commissions guidance document from 2008 (information item 5 and 6).

Fishery data has been requested for from all Member States around the Baltic Sea for the period 2011-

2015

A detailed description of the fishing activities in and around the three Natura 2000 sites concerned is given

in section 6.1 and 6.2 and Annex K-L.

2.3 Implementation of Natura 2000 in Denmark The Act on Environmental Goals9 contains the legal basis for the designation of Natura 2000 sites according

to the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (2009/147) in Denmark. The overall

objective of the Habitats Directive of maintaining and restoring favorable conservation status is nationally

implemented in the Administrative Order No. 408/2007 together with the legal designation of the sites.

Until management plans have been adopted and site specific conservation objectives formulated, the

overall objective of favorable conservation status is to be followed.

According to the Environmental objective (§ 36 (6)), the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark is

the responsible authority for the designation of Natura 2000 sites and for ensuring a representative

network of protected sites for the protection of unique, threatened and characteristic marine habitats and

species in Danish waters. Thus, the bilateral communication between Denmark and the European

Commission, is handled by the Ministry of Environment and Food. The Ministry of Environment and Food is

also the responsible authority for the national monitoring program (NOVANA) and for mapping marine

8 Link to Council Regulation: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1467024866502&uri=CELEX:32015R2072 9 Link Act on Environmental Goals: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=127102

https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=127102


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habitats. The national monitoring program in relation to the present proposal is described in more detail in

section 6.4.2.

In Denmark, the main provisions of the Habitats Directive article 6 for protection and managing the Natura

2000 sites are sector implemented, i.e. the competent authority is responsible for implementing the

necessary measures identified through the Natura 2000 management plans. When it comes to the

regulation of fisheries, the Ministry of Environment and Food is the responsible authority for the

supplementary fishery regulation. In June 2008, the Fisheries Act was amended to include the Habitats

Directives provisions10. Thus, in Denmark, the Ministry of Environment and Food is also the responsible

authority for ensuring adequate protection of marine habitats and species in relation to fisheries.

This proposal seeks to fulfill the provision of article 6 (1) and 6 (2) of the Habitats Directive, through

protection of reef structures from physical impact due to fishing activity.

2.3.1 Designation of Natura 2000 sites in Denmark

Denmark has in the period between 1998 and 2011 designated 97 Natura 2000 sites for the protection of

marine habitats and species. The designation has been done in accordance with the Administrative Order

No. 408, 1 May 200711 and subsequent amendments thereof, which designates and sets up the overall

conservation objectives as basis for the administration of Natura 2000 sites.

Annex B gives an overview of the designation of the concerned Natura 2000 sites from appointment as

PSCI site until designation as SAC’s.

In December 2011, nature management plans were adopted for the sites designated before 201012. With

the adoption of the plans, the sites were also designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s). A

second generation of nature management plans for all terrestrial and marine sites were adopted on 20th

April 2016.

For sites designated before 2010, necessary fishery management measures must be formulated and

implemented before 2016, whereas the timeframe is 2021 for sites designated later. The present proposal

for fisheries management measures only contains fishery management measures for sites designated

before 2010.

The European Commission has officially announced that Denmark has designated sufficient area to ensure

a representative network of marine habitats and species, however, there is a scientific reserve regarding

harbor porpoise in the western Baltic Sea. Once the results from the SAMBAH project have been evaluated

and assessed, a formal decision will be taken as to whether additional areas need to be designated for

harbor porpoise in the Danish part of the Baltic Sea13. The Danish marine Natura 2000 network covers

approximately 18 % of Denmark’s marine waters. A map showing the 97 marine Natura 2000 sites is given

in Annex A.

The present proposal deals with the following three Natura 2000 sites: ’Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’,

’Centrale Storebælt og Vresen’, ’Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als’.

10 Link Fisheries Act: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/r0710.aspx?id=121218 11 Link Administrative order no. 408, 1 May 2007: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=13043 12 Link Administrative order no. 1114, 25 November 2011: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=139270 13 Link outcome of SAMBAH project: http://www.sambah.org/Docs/General/Non-technical-report-v.-1.8.2.pdf

https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/r0710.aspx?id=121218



http://www.sambah.org/Docs/General/Non-technical-report-v.-1.8.2.pdf


13

The table below gives information of the marine habitats for which the three Natura 2000 sites have been

designated, as well as the legal framework for designation.

Table 2. Description of the three Natura 2000 sites (SACs) that the present proposal deals with

Site name Marine habitats and species

Year of designation

National Administrative Order

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke

Reefs 1170 Sandbanks 1110

2009 Administrative order no. 408 of 1 May 2007 and subsequent

amendments: Sets out the framework for designation, formulation of overall objectives

and administration of Natura 2000 sites in Danish waters

Centrale

Storebælt og

Vresen

Reefs 1170

Harbor porpoises 1351

Some bird species*

1995

Expanded in 2010

and 2011

Flensborg Fjord, Bredegrund og farvandet

omkring Als

Reefs 1170 Sandbanks 1110 Harbor porpoises 1351

Some bird species*

1995 Expanded in 2010

* Parts of the site are designated as SPA for birds, designated species can be found in annex A.

2.3.2 Mapping of marine Natura 2000 sites

Mapping of marine habitats forms the basis for protection of marine habitats in relation to fishing activities.

In 2006, the Danish Nature Agency began the process of mapping marine habitat types within the Danish

Natura 2000 network, starting with locating bubbling reefs (H1180) in Kattegat. In 2011-2012, the Danish

Nature Agency published maps of reefs and sandbanks for 18 Natura 2000 sites in Kattegat and the Baltic

Sea near the island of Bornholm14. One of the three Natura 2000 sites (Adler Grund og Rønne Banke) in

the present proposal are based upon this first mapping exercise. The remaining two sites were mapped in

2012 and 2014 in a similar exercise.

The method of mapping marine Natura 2000 sites occurs in three steps. In 2011, each of the 18 Natura

2000 site was examined using sidescan sonars producing a complete picture of the rugosity of the

substrate of the sea floor. On the basis of this data, an initial map was produced – the so-called ‘first

generation habitat map. The collected data was then thoroughly studied and any abnormality or structures

in the sea bottom not easily classified as the various habitat types (reef, sandbanks etc.) was then

examined further, using either a scuba diver or remote operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with video

cameras. Through this process bubbling reefs were verified. In addition, a number of areas classified as

reefs, sandbanks, etc. were visited to ensure accurate classifications and to study the biological content of

the areas. On the basis of the complete dataset, habitat maps were then created showing where within the

Natura 2000 sites, reef structures (H1170 and H1180) and sandbanks (H1110) are located.

Mapping of marine habitats in Danish Natura 2000 sites builds on the Danish definition of the habitat types

designated under the Habitats Directive. According to the Danish definition of stone reefs, an area is

classified as reef, if the coverage of hard substrate is above 25 pct. Areas with a cover of hard substrate of

10-25 pct. are also classified as reef, if the areas are directly connected to areas with a coverage of hard

substrate of 25 pct. or more. For the site “Centrale Storebælt og Vresen” mapping of reef structures have

been done by two different methods, where only the one in accordance with the Danish definition of reef

14 Link: Report - Mapping of Natura 2000 sites in 2011 and 2012: http://www2.naturstyrelsen.dk/habitatkortlaegning/,

http://naturstyrelsen.dk/publikationer/2013/dec/marin-habitatnaturtype-kortlaegning/,

http://naturstyrelsen.dk/media/136155/habitatkortl%C3%A6gning-2014_geus_dce.pdf

http://www2.naturstyrelsen.dk/habitatkortlaegning/

http://naturstyrelsen.dk/publikationer/2013/dec/marin-habitatnaturtype-kortlaegning/

http://naturstyrelsen.dk/media/136155/habitatkortl%C3%A6gning-2014_geus_dce.pdf


14

structures is used as the basis for this proposal of fisheries management measures, for the protection of

reef structures.

3. Process This chapter describes the process from when the Danish initiative to protect reef structures (H1170 and H

1180) from fishing activities in marine Natura 2000 sites was launched in spring 2011 by the former

Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries/Danish AgriFish Agency and until submission of fisheries

management measures in the form of ‘A Joint Recommendation’ by Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Estonia,

Poland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania to the European Commission in [XX 2016].

The following two sections (3.1 and 3.2) describe the national and international coordination processes,

which have taken place in the course of the last six years (2011-2016) in relation to the formulation of

fisheries management measures for protection of reef structures in Danish Natura 2000 sites.

3.1 National coordination and consultation National coordination and consultation with stakeholders in relation to Natura 2000 and fisheries take place

in the so-called ‘Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum’ as well as in the ministry’s committees. In addition to formal

consultations, informal consultations have also been held with stakeholders with the aim of discussing

protection of reefs in relation to fisheries at a more technical level. Annex F gives an overview of the formal

and informal consultations held since the initiative of protection of reefs from fisheries was launched in

spring 2011.

3.1.1 Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum

The Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum was launched in May 2010 by the former Minister for Food, Agriculture

and Fisheries in order to actively involve relevant stakeholders with an interest in fishery and Natura 2000

in the ministry’s work with the implementation of the Natura 2000 directives. The Natura 2000 Dialogue

Forum is chaired by the Danish AgriFish Agency and consists of representatives from NGO’s, fishermen’s

organizations, research organizations and national authorities15. The Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum meets 2-

3 times a year and is the forum where the Danish AgriFish Agency presents upcoming proposals for

fisheries management measures and in general informs stakeholders of current state of play through open

discussions and dialogue.

The rationale and principles on which the present proposals builds were initially presented to the Natura

2000 Dialogue Forum in November 2012, and have been discussed in a range of meetings since then.

Latest on 23 May 2016. The Danish Fishermen Association PO are members of this forum, and therefore

have been consulted on serval occasions on the present proposal and methods applied, see also section

3.1.2 and 3.2.3 for dialogue with the Advisory Councils.

15 The following organizations participate in meetings in the Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum: The Nature Agency, WWF,

Greenpeace, Oceana, Bird Life Denmark, The Danish Society for Nature Conservation, Danish Fishermen´s Association

PO and other local fishermen associations. Plus other NGOs with interests in the discussed topics are invited, e.g. The

Danish Hunters Association and ASCOBANS. The Terms of References for the Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum can be found

here:

http://naturerhverv.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/NaturErhverv/Filer/Fiskeri/Natura_2000_hav/Natura_2000_dialogforum/R

evideret_kommissorium_for_N2000_Dialogforum_020513.pdf

http://naturerhverv.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/NaturErhverv/Filer/Fiskeri/Natura_2000_hav/Natura_2000_dialogforum/Revideret_kommissorium_for_N2000_Dialogforum_020513.pdf



15

Consultations in relation to the present proposal

In November 2012, the Danish Ministry of Environment/Danish Nature Agency published detailed maps of

habitat types for one of the three sites concerned, as described in section 2.3.2.

In spring 2015, the Danish Ministry of Environment/Danish Nature Agency published detailed maps of

habitat types for a range of sites, including the remaining two sites of the present proposal. Thus, all maps

have been updated in order to take the new information into account. Updated maps have been presented

to the Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum on November 16th 2012, May 8th 2015 and January 28th 2016.

In relation to the present proposal, the Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum has been consulted in a parallel

session with concerned Member States, as well as the Advisory Council for the Baltic Sea, respectively.

Besides the pre-consultation meeting held on 9 May 2016, the Danish AgriFish Agency presented the

proposed fisheries management measures to the Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum on 23 May 2016, where also

a summary of the pre-consultation meeting with Member States was given. The outcome of this

consultation is given in section 3.2.3.

The Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum will be briefed on state of play regarding the Danish proposals on 27

October 2016 in relation to finalization of the two proposals with concerned Member States as well as the

drafting of the joint recommendation.

3.1.2 Meetings with stakeholders

Bilateral meetings have been held with the Danish Fishermen’s Association PO during spring and autumn of

2015. The purpose of these meetings were to discuss the proposed ban for trawling with mobile bottom

contacting gear in the 7 Natura 2000 sites located between the baseline and 12 nautical miles in the

Kattegat (four sites) and western Baltic (three sites) as well as in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Furthermore, the consultations also aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the fishing pattern from

smaller vessels in the 7 Natura 2000 sites concerned. The outcome of these meetings center around an in

depth understanding of the fishing pattern in the discussed Natura 2000 sites – also for the smaller vessels

not obliged to carry VMS16. These discussions support the analyses of fishing activity based on VMS, which

the Danish AgriFish Agency in collaboration with DTU Aqua have carried out, assuring that the proposed

fisheries measures will have no or low impact on current fishing activities for vessels above and below 12

meters.

3.1.3 Involvement of Parliament and Committees within the Ministry of

Environment and Food

The Danish Government has laid down national procedures for coordination of initiatives in relation to the

implementation of EU’s Natura 2000 directives and the reformed fisheries policy.

For initiatives, where Denmark act as the initiating Member State, The Danish Parliament must be informed

of the intended draft proposals for fisheries management measures prior to regional consultation. All

initiatives both launched by Denmark and by other Member States, where Denmark has direct

management interest, will be coordinated nationally with stakeholders through the Ministry’s national

committees and Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum. The Danish Parliament is informed of these initiatives before

joint recommendations are finalized for submission to the European Commission. In relation to present

proposal, Parliament was informed in March 2016.

16 VMS (Vessel monitoring systems) is a satellite based monitoring system, which is used in commercial fisheries – positions, times, course and speed of the fishing vessels are monitored and stored.


16

3.1.4 Peer review of the proposal

The present proposal has been peer reviewed by The Danish Technical University, Institute for Aquatic

Resources, DTU Aqua and the University of Aarhus, Danish Centre for Environment and Energy. A peer

review of the proposal ensures that, the proposed fisheries management measures, along side the

rationale and principles on which the proposal builds, are scientifically sound. The peer review has also

increased the scientific evidence in terms of references and ensured that relevant scientific studies have

been included.

The outcome of the peer review can, besides minor editorial changes, be summarized to:

i) scientific assessment of the documentation of conservation status in the concerned Natura 2000

sites

ii) scientific assessment of the rationale for a ban for fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting

gear in areas mapped as reefs code H1170 and H1180 and other type of fishery activity in areas

mapped of bubbling reefs code H1180 in relation to the documented conservation status.

3.2 International coordination – regionalization The sections below describe the process that the Danish AgriFish Agency has pursued with respect to the

present proposal in terms of international coordination and consultation with other Member States, the

European Commission and relevant Advisory Councils, see Annex F-G.

3.2.1. Consultation with Member States and the European Commission

The present proposal has been coordinated regionally in accordance with Article 11 and 18 of the reformed

fisheries policy (Basic Regulation) through the established ad hoc working group in accordance with the

Terms of Reference for the BALTFISH technical expert group.

Terms of reference for the BALTFISH technical expert group was agreed upon in 2014 by the Fisheries

Directors. In accordance with the ToR’s, Denmark, as the initiating Member State, has taken the lead in the

ad hoc working group with Sweden, Germany, and Poland. These Member States have finalized the proposal

for fisheries management measures for protection of reef structures in collaboration.

International coordination and consultations of the present proposal were launched back in March 2012,

when Denmark in accordance with article 9 in Regulation no. 2371/2002 invited German and Swedish

fishery- and environmental authorities, the Advisory Council for the North Sea, ICES and the Commission

to a pre-consultation meeting in Copenhagen. A booklet containing all the relevant information was sent

out in February 2012 containing information about the proposed fishery regulation.

The recent mapping of marine habitats in the Kattegat area in 2011, 2012 and 2015, has enabled the

Danish AgriFish Agency to include protection of more reef structures in terms of area and number of sites

in the present proposal.

A draft of the present proposal was sent in pre-consultation to the relevant authorities in Sweden,

Germany, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania alongside ICES, the Baltic Sea Advisory Council

and the European Commission (DG MARE and DG ENVI) on 7 April 2016 prior to the scheduled pre-

consultation meeting on 9 May 2016 – a process in line with the provisions of regionalization in the

reformed fisheries policy.

The proposed management measures were in a parallel process sent to the members of the Danish Natura

2000 Dialogue Forum. A summary of the pre-consultation meeting on 9 May 2016 is given in Annex G. At

the pre-consultation meeting in May, an ad hoc working group, to be chaired by the Danish AgriFish

Agency, was established with Sweden, Germany and Poland. Meetings were held in June, August and

September [October] 2016. The outcome of these meetings is given in Annex G.


17

Consultation with Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania has been done through email.

Denmark, Sweden and Germany have consulted their national fishermen associations/organizations. The

Polish Fishery sector was consulted by the Baltic Sea Advisory Council. The Advisory Councils and NGOs

have been consulted by Denmark as the initiating Member State, see section 3.2.3 and Annex F-H.

On 5 July 2016 a bilateral meeting was held in Brussels with representatives from the European

Commission. DG Environment had requested their consultants to evaluate the Danish proposals. The

evaluation and outcome of this consultation is given in Annex G.

3.2.2 Informal consultations with other Member States

During the formulation of the present proposal, a range of informal meetings have been held with Sweden.

The focus of the informal meetings with the Swedish authorities has been to discuss the Danish approach

of buffer zones and to explore the possibility of a joint proposal for the Natura 2000 sites in the Kattegat

area. The informal consultations have taken place on:

- 1 June 2011: meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark

- 17 January 2013: meeting in Göteborg, Sweden

- 10 October 2013: meeting in Göteborg, Sweden

In addition to the informal meetings with Sweden, on 18 November 2015 an informal meeting was held in

Copenhagen with representatives from Poland.

The informal discussions between Sweden and Denmark have resulted in Denmark solitarily proposing

fisheries management measures for Natura 2000 sites located between the baseline and 12 nautical miles

as well as for sites located in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the western Baltic Sea. As already

mentioned, this proposal and that of sites located in the Kattegat, are supplementary to the measures

already forwarded to the EU Commission jointly by Denmark, Sweden and Germany early 2015. The same

methods and rationale have been applied.

3.2.3 Consultations with Advisory Councils

The Advisory Councils for the Baltic Sea and North Sea, respectively, have also been consulted. The

Advisory Councils received the proposals parallel to Sweden, Germany, Estonia, Poland, Latvia, Finland and

Lithuania, the Commission and the Danish Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum.

A summary of the consultation with the Advisory Councils and the Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum is given in

Annex H.


18

4. Principles and rationale Member States are responsible for ensuring favorable conservation status of designated marine habitats

and species in their respective Natura 2000 network and to take appropriate steps to avoid the

deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species as well as the disturbance of the species for

which the Natura 2000 site has been designated. In Denmark, this responsibility falls under the Ministry of

Food, Agriculture and Fishery in relation to fisheries. At the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark,

the Danish AgriFish Agency is responsible for formulation of fishery regulation as well as fishery control and

enforcement of implemented management measures.

In spring 2011, the Danish AgriFish Agency launched the initiative to ensure adequate protection of reef

structures designated under the Habitats Directive. Of the 97 marine Natura 2000 sites located in Danish

waters, 65 sites have been designated for reefs (H1170 and H1180). A total of 30 of the 65 sites are

located within the baseline and/or in waters under Danish sovereignty.

Based on scientific advice from DTU Aqua (the Danish Technical University, Institute for Aquatic Resources,

Denmark has decided to protect reef structures (H1170 and H1180) from physical disturbances due to

fishing activities with mobile bottom contacting gears (see section 5.2 and Annex E).

Several studies have focused on habitat sensitivity in relation to fishery and different gear types. There is

scientific evidence in support of the negative impact mobile bottom contacting gears have on reef

structures (H1170), hence the usage on any mobile towed gear would result in an unacceptable risk to the

conservation status of this feature (Dahl 2005; Kaiser et al. 2002; Cook et al. 201317; Kailas et al. 2016).

In order to reduce this risk, it was decided to prohibit the usage of mobile bottom contacting gears in areas

mapped as reefs. Majority of studies have found low sensitivity between gillnet fishery and stone reef

structures (BALTFIMPA project, Shester and Micheki (2011)), however, majority of studies focus on impact

from mobile bottom contacting gears, which are dragged along the sea floor. It is unlikely that static gears

at moderate levels of fishing effort will have a significant effect on the stone reefs (H1170). In the sites

concerned, fishing effort is low, see section 6 for more information on fishing patterns. Thus, no additional

management in relation to fishery is considered needed for this habitat type to achieve favorable

conservation status.

DTU Aqua has advised, that a buffer zone equivalent to 6 times the average water depth (meters) will

ensure adequate protection of these reef structures from direct impact from fishing activities, see Annex E.

The same method has been applied in the National Administrative Order of 28 August 201318, which

applies to protection of reef structures in four Danish coastal Natura 2000 sites. In June 2013, ICES

published a general advice on evaluation of the appropriateness of buffer zones, see Annex E. The ICES

advice is in line with scientific advice from DTU Aqua.

The rationale behind the buffer zone method is that the reef structures in their full extent need protection

from mobile bottom contacting fishing gears - from current fishing activities as well as potential future

fishing activities. Modern fishing vessels are equipped with advanced technology that allow then to fish

with high precision. In addition, other technologies allow integration of buffer zones in the GPS systems of

fishing vessels. As a result, buffer zones eliminate any potential threat from trawls to the reef structure

during fishing – even when vessels turn. The overall aim of the present proposal is protection of reef

structures from direct physical disturbance from fisheries with mobile bottom contacting gears, which

according to the Danish Natura 2000 management plans is adversely affecting the conservation status of

17 Cook R, Farinas-Franco JM, Gell FR, Holt RHF, Holt T, Lindenbaum C, Porter JS, Seed R, Skates LR, Stringell TB,

Sanderson WG. 2013. The substantial first impact of bottom fishing on rare biodiversity hotspots: a dilemma for evidence-based conservation. PLOS ONE 8(8), 10 pp.

18 Link Administrative order no. 1048 of 28 August 2013:




19

these habitat types. Several scientific studies worldwide state that fishery with mobile bottom contacting

gears have a negative impact on reef structures (Dahl 2005; Kaiser et al. 2002; ICES 2009)19. The buffer

zone is also expected to limit the risk of resuspension of sediment due to fishing with mobile bottom

contacting gears. Taking habitat type, depth and location of reef structures into account, resuspension of

sediment is assessed to be relatively low.

Over time, the proposed fisheries management measures are believed to significantly contribute to the

improvement of the conservation status of these habitat types (e.g. Dahl 2005; Fenberg et al. 2012; Collie

et al. 2000)20 and, ultimately, to the achievement of favorable conservation status, see section 6.4.3 for

more information on expected effects and management of other pressures. Full protection of reef

structures from fisheries is indicated as a priority in all the Danish Natura 2000 management plans for sites

designated for reefs.

When formulating the present proposal, the following principles have been the focal points:

1. Sound scientific basis

Any proposal for fisheries management measures must be based on scientific evidence and advice

and take all relevant information into account. DTU Aqua has provided scientific advice in relation

to the principles and methods pursued in the present proposal, which is supported by ICES in

terms of buffer zones.

Spatial distribution of the habitat types is central when designing fisheries management measures.

The Danish Nature Agency is the responsible authority in Denmark for mapping the marine Natura

2000 sites. In April 2015, the Danish Nature Agency published the last detailed maps of Natura

2000 sites in inner Danish waters – 39 sites in total (37 designated for reefs). The present proposal

builds upon these detailed maps.

2. Stakeholder involvement

An important element of the process of formulating fisheries management measures is stakeholder

involvement – nationally as well as internationally.

In Denmark, national coordination with stakeholders takes place in the ‘Natura 2000 Dialogue

Forum’, which was established in spring 2010 to ensure coordination with all stakeholders from

green NGOs to fishermen’s associations/organizations, research bodies, authorities etc. The

proposed fisheries management measures have been discussed in the forum at all meetings since

spring 2011.

Internationally, any proposal for fisheries management measures, which might affect other

Member States must at an early stage be presented to ensure regional coordination. The present

proposal and buffer zone approach was initially presented to German and Swedish authorities in

March 2012 at a meeting in Copenhagen, where also the North Sea Advisory Council, ICES and the

European Commission participated. The present proposal has been discussed with Sweden,

Germany and Poland in the established ad hoc working group comprising of representatives from

fisheries and environmental departments.

19 Dahl, K. (2005): Effekter af fiskeri på stenrevs algevegetation. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 16 s. – Faglig rapport

fra DMU nr. 526; Kaiser, M. J., Collie, J. S., Hall, S. J., Jennings, S. and Poiner, I. R. (2002), Modification of marine habitats by trawling activities: prognosis and solutions. Fish and Fisheries, 3: 114–136; ICES. 2009. Report of the EMPAS project (Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Protected Areas), 2006‐2008, an ICES‐BfN project. 123

pp. 20 Dahl, K. (2005): Effekter af fiskeri på stenrevs algevegetation. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 16 s. – Faglig rapport

fra DMU nr. 526; Fenberg P.B.*, Caselle J., Claudet J., Clemence M., Gaines S., García-Charton J.A., Gonçalves E., Grorud-Colvert K., Guidetti P., Jenkins S., Jones P.J.S., Lester S., McAllen R., Moland E., Planes S. and Sørensen T.K. (2012) The science of European marine reserves: status, efficacy and needs. Marine Policy 36(5), 1012-1021; Collie, J. S., Hall, S. J., Kaiser, M. J. and Poiner, I. R. (2000), A quantitative analysis of fishing impacts on shelf-sea benthos. Journal of Animal Ecology, 69: 785–798.


20

Stakeholders have been involved in the current process since 2011 and actively taken part in the

previous regional coordination process with Sweden and Germany concerning fisheries

management measures in 10 Natura 2000 sites (delegated act came into force 1 January 2016).

3. Regional coordination

According to the Basic Regulation Articles 11 and 18, Member States may submit joint

recommendations on conservation measures that are necessary for the purpose of complying with

their obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy (Reg. No 1380/2013 (The Basic Regulation)).

The present proposal is jointly presented to the European Commission after regional coordination

with Member States having a direct management interest within the framework of the Terms of

Reference for the BALTFISH technical expert group/ad hoc working group. A process, which was

launched in March 2012 with a pre-consultation meeting in Copenhagen followed by an additional

pre-consultation meeting in Copenhagen in May 2016 and meetings in the established ad hoc

working group with Sweden, Germany and Poland.

4. Transparency

Transparency of data and the methodology which is used is important, and can only be achieved

through stakeholder involvement, regional coordination and use of scientific advice. The data used

to describe fishing patterns and effort is based on log book and VMS data from the involved

countries. In addition to VMS and log book data, information of fishing patterns for smaller Danish

vessels (<12 meters) has also been used. In order to collect information of fishing patterns for

smaller Danish vessels, consultations have been held with the Danish Fishermen Association during

2015/ 2016.

5. Proportionality

The proposed management measures must balance sustainable exploitation of resources and the

need to conserve important habitats and species. This means that the proposed measures must

comply with the proportionality principle so they do not go further than necessary to ensure the

needed protection of the mapped reefs within the framework of the Habitats Directive.

Furthermore, no other and less burdening measures must be able to provide the same level of

necessary protection seen from a scientific and practical point of view. Consequently this means

that fishery is not prohibited in these areas, unless it is carried out with gears that potentially can

damage the mapped reefs. At the same time, the proposed management measures should be

possible to control and enforce. The present proposal concerns protection of reef structures. For

sites where the reef structures cover the majority of the site – the entire site is closed for fishing

activities, whereas for other sites, the area closed for fishing contains the reef itself and the

surrounding 240 meter buffer zone – given as 6 times water depth set at an average depth of 40

meters for the area.

6. Non discrimination

The proposal must ensure that measures are applied in a non-discriminatory manner. A

coordinated approach between Member States having direct management interests is key to

ensuring non-discrimination of fleets affected by the proposed fisheries management measures.

This coordination must follow the steps laid down in the Basic Regulation of the Common Fisheries

Policy, thus ensuring a level playing field for the fishing sector potentially affected. The present

proposal contains fisheries management measures for three sites located in the Danish part of the

Western Baltic Sea, where Sweden, Germany and Poland among others have fishing

rights/opportunities. Thus, the proposed fisheries management measures must be coordinated in

accordance with the Common Fisheries Policy (articles 11 and 18).


21

5. Scope of the present proposal In the first plan period (2010-2015), special focus should be given to the protection of reef structures from

any form of physical disturbances. The Danish AgriFish Agency launched the initiative to protect reef

structures from impact from fishing activity back in spring 2011 alongside regulation of other activities e.g.

sand and gravel extraction. In the second plan period (2016-2021), the on-going work with protection of

reef structures is to be continued.

The present proposal aims at ensuring adequate protection of reef structures in three Natura 2000 sites

located in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea: “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”, “Centrale Storebælt

og Vresen” and “Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als”. The present proposal is part of a

larger plan to implement the Habitats Directive in relation to the protection of reef structures in the 65

Natura 2000 sites designated for reefs in Danish waters. Denmark has designated 97 marine Natura 2000

sites, of which 65 have been ted for reefs H1170 and/or H1180.

The present proposal is identical to a similar proposal for the protection of reef structures in Natura 2000

sites located in the Kattegat. These two proposals are further identical to two other proposals concerning

fisheries management measures (3 sites in the Kattegat and 7 sites in the western Baltic Sea), which have

already been forwarded to the EU Commission as a joint recommendation by Denmark, Sweden and

Germany and adopted as an delegated act in summer 2015. The Delegated Act came into force 1 January

2016.

The principles and methods used in the present proposal and that of the Kattegat, are furthermore

identical to those used in the first national administrative order for protection of reefs in coastal Natura

2000 sites, which came into force on 1 September 2013, where the first fisheries management measures

for protection of reefs were launched. The national administrative order prohibits the usage of mobile

bottom contacting gear in four coastal Natura 2000 sites. These measures further supplement the

delegated act, (EU) 2015/ 1778.

The following two sections describe the Natura 2000 sites in question and the proposed fisheries

management measures to be adopted in order to secure adequate protection of reef structures from fishing

activities in accordance with the Habitats Directive, article 6 (1) and 6 (2). The expected outcome and

benefit in relation to conservation status is given in section 6.4.3.

5.1 Description of the Natura 2000 sites concerned The present proposal concerns three Natura 2000 sites located in the Baltic Sea:

- Adler Grund og Rønne Banke (EU site code: DK00VA261)

- Centrale Storebælt og Vresen (EU site code: DK008X190)

- Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als (EU site code: DK00VA254)

The three Natura 2000 sites and the habitat types found in the areas are described in 5.1.1-5.1.3.

The sites are designated for not only the protection of reef structures (H1170) – two of them are also

designated for the protection of sandbanks (H1110). Centrale Storebælt and Flensborg Fjord are also

designated for the protection of harbor porpoises (H1351) and a range of sea bird species.

The conservation status for the reef structures (H1170) is given as unfavorable for all three Natura 2000

sites. The annual assessment reports on environmental status do not contain information in relation to

physical disturbances of reefs, however, it is generally accepted and documented, that fishing activities


22

with mobile bottom contacting gear can have an irreversible impact on reef structure and function (Dahl

2005; Kaiser et al. 2002; ICES 2009)21.

The aim of the present proposal is to achieve the overall conservation objective of favorable conservation

status, since site specific conservation objectives have not yet been formulated for Danish marine habitats

(see section 2.3). In December 2012, the former Danish Ministry of Environment made the Natura 2000

management plans public. The management plans contain a description of the habitats and species for

which the site has been designated, the current conservation status of these habitats and species, possible

threats and actions to be taken. In all management plans for marine Natura 2000 sites designated for reefs

– actions should be taken in relation to fishing activities with mobile bottom contacting gear.

Other activities such as extraction of sand and gravel, which also negatively affect the physical structure

and function of reef structures in general, is also being regulated in Natura 2000 sites. Furthermore, on-

going initiatives seek to reduce the flow of nutrients from terrestrial sources. Thus, regulation of fishery is

one of several initiatives which together is expected over time to improve the conservation status of reef

structures in Danish waters.

The present proposal solely concerns protection of reef structures. Assessment of the need for fisheries

management measures for the protection of harbour porpoise and sandbanks is yet to be made. On-going

work on harbour porpoise by-catch and estimation of bycatch rate and amount in Danish waters, as well as

identification of hotspot areas are important information needed for the assessment, as is more

information on impact of fishing gears on sandbanks and their functions. Thus, Denmark pursues an

adaptive management strategy whereby necessary fisheries management measures are formulated as the

required knowledge and assessments are made available. The marine habitats and species which need

urgent attention are protected first, e.g. reef structures.

State of play of the implementation of Natura 2000 in relation to fishery in Danish waters are given in

annex A.

21 Dahl, K. (2005): Effekter af fiskeri på stenrevs algevegetation. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 16 s. – Faglig rapport

fra DMU nr. 526; Kaiser, M. J., Collie, J. S., Hall, S. J., Jennings, S. and Poiner, I. R. (2002), Modification of marine habitats by trawling activities: prognoses and solutions. Fish and Fisheries, 3: 114–136; ICES. 2009. Report of the EMPAS project (Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Protected Areas), 2006‐2008, an ICES‐BfN project. 123

pp.


23

Figure 1. Map of marine Danish Natura 2000 sites (white areas). Blue areas indicate the

location of the three Natura 2000 sites, which the present proposal covers. Shaded area

indicates the boundaries of the western Baltic Sea

The present proposal covers three Natura 2000 sites located in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea,

as shown in figure 1. The Baltic Sea flows into the Kattegat through the Sound, the Little Belt and the

Great Belt and from there to the North Sea. The western part of the Baltic Sea comprises of ICES

subdivisions 22-24, from the southern boundary of the Kattegat to the island of Bornholm.

Two of the Natura 2000 sites are located in the Belt Sea, which consists of the straits of the Great Belt and

the Little Belt, as shown in figure 1. The Great Belt is defined as the strait between Zealand and the island

of Fyn, which connects the Kattegat to the Baltic Sea. The third Natura 2000 site is located just west of

Bornholm.

The reef structures in the western Baltic Sea comprises of stone reef and biogenic reef structures (H1170).

In the western Baltic Sea, reef structures made of blue mussels are rather common. Fishery for blue

mussels takes place in the Little Belt and northern part of the Belt Sea, however not in any of the Natura

2000 sites the present proposal covers.

The analysis of fishery activity – both in relation to target species and VMS effort has in the present

proposal only been conducted for the Baltic Sea (subdivisions 22-24), which is in line with the ICES fish

stock assessments and variation seen in the target species and gears used.

The western Baltic Sea is an important fishing area for Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Target species

range from cod, eel, herring, plaice to sprat. Sand-eel has in the last years become increasingly important

in the area. In general fishing activity in the western Baltic Sea (given as catch value) has decreased by

approximately 40 pct. Cod is the main target species, however. The reduction in landings registered for the

area is attributed to a reduction in fishery for cod. The main reduction in cod landings was seen in 2009,

where after landings have been somehow stable. Fishery activity in the western Baltic Sea is largely

conducted by smaller vessel below 15 meters. In the eastern Baltic Sea (subdivision 25), several countries


24

are involved in the fisheries as this area is the main area for cod fishery. In this area, fishery in the period

2007 to 2012 has been quite stable however, and slightly lower in 2013. Cod is the main target species

followed by herring and sprat.

Several initiatives have been taken for the protection of cod. In 2009, Denmark and Sweden agreed on a

cod fishing ban in the northern part of the Sound (subdivision 23) in the months of February and March.

Fishery in the eastern Baltic Sea (subdivisions 25-32) are also regulated by a seasonal closure from 1 July

to 31 August to protect cod, as is fishery for cod in subdivision 24 where there is a seasonal closure in

April. The seasonal closures alongside the introduction of BACOMA 120 mm trawl gear, which was

introduced in 2009 to make sure undersized cod was not caught form the basis of a focused protection of

cod in the Baltic Sea.

VMS effort in the Danish part of the Baltic Sea is given in Annex L. The highest effort is seen for Danish

vessels in both SD 22-24 and SD 25. The highest effort in relation to Danish vessels is seen for mobile

contacting gears. Swedish and German vessels carrying VMS primarily conduct fishing activity in SD 25

and on the western side of the island of Bornholm in SD 24 – eastern part with mobile bottom contacting

gears. There is some fishing activity from German vessels along the border between Denmark and

Germany in the Belt Sea, primarily with mobile bottom contacting gears.

The three Natura 2000 sites, which the present proposal covers, are part of the Danish Natura 2000

network for the protection of reefs. A total of 34 Natura 2000 sites have been designated for reefs in the

Belt Sea and the western Baltic Sea area. With this proposal all sites designated for reefs in the Danish

part of the Belt Sea will be fully protected from physical impact from fishery with bottom contacting gears.


25

5.1.1 Natura 2000 site: Adler Grund og Rønne Banke

The Natura 2000 site "Adler Grund og Rønne Banke22" is located southwest of Bornholm, and borders

German waters, see figure 1. The Natura 2000 site covers an area of 321 km2 and is designated for the

protection of sandbanks (H1110) and reefs (H1170), see figure 2. In total, stone reef structures cover

approximately 73 km2 of the area, corresponding to 23 % of the Natura 2000 site. The site is characterized

as being one large reef structure. The reef is representative for stone reefs in the open parts in the Baltic

Sea. The first management plan for the site was adopted in April 201623. In the baseline analysis the need

for fisheries regulation has been evaluated due to the risk of damage from bottom contacting gears.

Figure 2. Map of Natura 2000 site “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke” showing the location and spatial distribution of reef structures and sandbanks

22 Habitat No. H261, Natura 2000 site No. 252, EU site code: DK00VA261 23 Link to Natura 2000 Management Plan for Adler Grund og Rønne Banke: http://svana.dk/media/189184/252_n2000plan_2016-21.pdf

http://svana.dk/media/189184/252_n2000plan_2016-21.pdf


26

5.1.2 Natura 2000 site: Centrale Storebælt og Vresen

The Natura 2000 site "Centrale Storebælt and Vresen24" consists of two former Natura 2000 sites; no. 165,

“Sprogø and Halsskov Rev” and no. 116, “Vresen”.

The marine area is dominated by smaller reefs and in the shallow water large deposits of stone and mussel beds are found. Conditions of the water masses are very dynamic as a result of the meeting between the salt water from the Kattegat and less saline water from the Baltic Sea. Sprogø, Vresen and the many adjoining reefs represent a continuation of the north-south hill street that

runs through Langeland and pass in an arc from Lohals to Korsor. Sprogø is a moraine knoll after

construction of the bridge has changed a lot. Vresen was originally a hill island, but by erosion and

sediment into a low island consisting of beach ridges and sand. Lejsø area is caused by material migration,

which has formed a lagoon and salt marsh, which is fringed beach ridges. In the sea area is designated

habitat reefs, while rural areas are not part of the designation document.

The site is located in the middle of the Great

Belt, see figure 1. The site covers an area of

807 km2 and is designated for the protection

of reefs (H1170), harbor porpoises (1351)

and two bird species (common eider and

sandwich tern). In total, stone reef

structures cover approximately 121 km2 of

the area, corresponding to 15 % of the

Natura 2000 site, see figure 3.

According to the Natura 2000 management

plan for the area25, fishing activity with

mobile bottom contacting gear is described

as a threat to the stone reefs. Fishing in

general in the area is considered a threat

towards both harbor porpoises

(entanglement in gear) and birds

(disturbance and removal of gravel).

Figure 3. Map of Natura 2000 site “Centrale Storebælt og Vresen” showing the location and spatial distribution of reef structures and

sandbanks

24 Habitat No. H204, Natura 2000 site No. 204, EU site code: DK00VA303 25 Link to Natura 2000 management plan for Centrale Storebælt og Vresen:

http://svana.dk/media/189242/n116_n2000plan_2016-21.pdf



27

5.1.3 Natura 2000 site: Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als

The Natura 2000 site "Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als26" is located in the Southern

part of the Little Belt and the most western part of the Baltic Sea, see figure 1. The site covers an area of

646 km2 and is designated for the protection of reefs (H1170), sandbanks (H1110), harbor porpoises

(1351) and a range of bird species. The site is a well known resting area for swimming and diving ducks in

the winter season and midsummer. The outer part of the fjord located in German waters, is also

designated as a SPA.

In total, stone reef structures cover approximately 53 km2 of the area, corresponding to 8 % of the total

Natura 2000 site, see figure 4.

According to the Natura 2000 management plan for the area27, fishing activity with mobile bottom

contacting gear is described as a threat to stone reefs and the marine habitat types in the area. Fishing

activity with static gears is furthermore described as a threat to the harbor porpoises in the area.

Figure 4. Map of Natura 2000 site “Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als” showing the location and spatial distribution of reef structures and sandbanks

26 Habitat No. H173, Natura 2000 site No. 197, EU site code: DK00VA254 27 Link to Natura 2000 management plan for Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als:

http://svana.dk/media/201577/197_h173plan.pdf



28

5.2 Description of proposed fisheries management measures

5.2.1 Purpose of the present proposal

The purpose of the present proposal is to ensure full protection of reef structures (habitat code H1170)

from physical disturbance due to fishing activities and thereby contribute to the achievement of favorable

conservation status for reef structures.

The protection of reef structures will be ensured through a buffer zone approach, where a 240 meter buffer

zone is placed around the mapped reef structures. The Danish AgriFish Agency has received scientific

advice from DTU Aqua, on the appropriate method to be used. The size of the buffer zone is calculated as 6

times the water depth in meters. Water depth around the reef structures in the three Natura 2000 sites,

that the present proposal deals with, ranges between 30-40 meters. For the present proposal, a water

depth of 40 meter is used – giving a buffer zone of 240 meters, see Annex E.

Once the reefs are mapped and their size and spatial distribution is known, the Danish AgriFish Agency, on

the basis of scientific advice, formulates the necessary fisheries management measures. The final

determination of boundaries within which fishing activities are proposed to be prohibited, follows the

principles and rationale described in section 4. The outline of the area to be closed for fishing activities is

therefore decided upon separately for each Natura 2000 site taking into account the site specific mapping

of marine habitats, fisheries control and enforcement as well as proportionality in relation to impact on

fishing patterns. Thus, the outline of the proposed areas to be closed for fishing activities is done per site

in order to on one side ensure adequate protection of the mapped reef structures as well as to ensure

proportionality in the proposed management measures in relation to fisheries control and enforcement.

The outline of reef structures and associated buffer zones are given above in section 5.1.1-5.1.3 for the

three Natura 2000 sites. For the Natura 2000 sites, the reef complexes in two of the areas (Flensborg Fjord

and Centrale Storebælt) are rather fragmented, at Adler Grund og Rønne Banke, the reef complexes are

cohesive and cover a large part of the site. Thus, the area in which fishing activity is proposed to be

regulated solely covers reef structures and the buffer zone area. Table 3 gives an overview of the size of

the three Natura 2000 sites, the reef structures and the area proposed closed for fishing activities with

mobile bottom contacting gear.

Table 3. Total area of reef structures and buffer zones

Natura 2000 site Total area (km2) Area of reef structures (km2) Area of reefs

and buffer zones

km2

% of N2000

area


312.24 73.29 173.50 56%

Centrale Storebælt og

Vresen

807.26 120.71 269.94 33%

Flensborg Fjord 645.65 53.24 122.54 19%

The proposed fisheries management measures will close approximately 56 % of Adler Grund og Rønne

Banke, 33 % of Centrale Storebælt og Vresen and 19 % of Flensborg Fjord.

5.2.2 Assessment of adequacy, proportionality and the precautionary principle

In the present proposal, assessment of adequacy and proportionality as well as the precautionary principle

has been given much focus. DTU Aqua has given scientific advice in terms of adequacy in relation to

protection of reef structures from impact from unintended fishing activities. Proportionality has been


29

discussed in relation to reef structures, that cross the outline of the Natura 2000 site and/or are located

adjacent to Natura 2000 sites as well as in relation to control and enforcement.

In the same context the precautionary principle has been assessed. The Waddenzee judgment C127-02

has explicitly stated the precautionary principle as part of the required assessments of the Habitats

directive’s requirements. This assessment is specifically stated in the paragraph 59 in the Waddenzee

judgment, saying that activities only are allowed, if it is made certain that it will not adversely affect the

integrity of that site. This leads to the conclusion that since Natura 2000 sites in Danish waters are

designated prior to the mapping of the reefs, fisheries management measures might be laid down

transboundary to the designated areas if it is asserted that it is needed to protect the integrity of the site.

All reef structures located within a Natura 2000 site will be protected from physical disturbance from

fishing activity. Consequently reef structures located outside a Natura 2000 site, which are in direct contact

with reef structures located inside the site, will also be protected from physical disturbance, since certain

fisheries at these reef structures may have a negative impact on the reef structures located inside the site.

Reef structures located outside a Natura 2000 site, which are not in direct contact with reef structures

inside the designated Natura 2000 site, are not included in the provisions of the Habitats Directive, and will

therefore in the present proposal not be protected from fishing activity28.

For the site “Centrale Storebælt og Vresen’ the mapping of reef structures and other habitats were done in

two different mapping sessions. Different techniques were used and the spatial resolution varies. Thus,

there is a conflict between fishery activity by Danish fishermen with mobile bottom contacting gears in part

of the area, mapped by the ‘low’ resolution. The proposal therefore solely makes use of the high resolution

mapping in the areas where conflict exits.

In relation to protection of stone reef structures (habitat code H1170), scientific evidence support a total

fishery ban with mobile bottom contacting gears, whereas fishery with static gears is not assessed as

having a significant negative impact. Thus, these activities will be able to continue in areas mapped as

reefs (Dahl 2005; Kaiser et al. 2002; Kaiser et al. 2016; Eigaard et al. 2016)29.

The rationale behind these principles is to enable the achievement of favorable conservation status for

designated habitats by implementing the necessary restrictions on human activities - in this case by

formulating fisheries management measures, which supplement regulation of other activities such as

gravel and sand extraction among other activities.

In relation to the present proposal, reef structures located outside the Natura 2000 sites are, therefore,

included in the protection measures, if they are in direct contact to reef structures located inside the site.

Proportionality is also assessed in relation to control and enforcement of the proposed fisheries

management measures. The proposed measures must be controllable.

28 Further reference to this principle in Danish case law: Decision by the Supreme Court (Højesterets kendelse

356/2011): http://www.domstol.dk/hojesteret/nyheder/Afgorelser/Documents/356-2011.pdf

29 Eigaard OR, Bastardie F, Breen M, Dinesen GE, Hintzen NT, Laffargue P, Mortensen LO, Nielsen JR, Nilsson HC, O’Neill

FG, Polet H, Reid DG, Sala A, Sköld M, Smith C, Sørensen TK, Tully O, Zengin M, Rijnsdorp AD. 2016. Estimating seabed pressure from demersal trawls, seines, and dredges based on gear design and dimensions. ICES Journal of Marine Science 73(1), i27-i43. [doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsv099]

http://www.domstol.dk/hojesteret/nyheder/Afgorelser/Documents/356-2011.pdf


30

6. Restriction of fisheries within the Danish Natura 2000 sites The present proposal intends to prohibit fishing activities with mobile bottom contacting gear in areas

mapped as reefs (H1170) in the three marine Natura 2000 sites: Adler Grund og Rønne Banke, Centrale

Storebælt og Vresen and Flensborg Fjord, see section 1.3.

In accordance with the Commission guidelines of 2008 in relation to the formulation of fisheries

management measures in Natura 2000, the Danish AgriFish Agency has requested for fishery data from all

Member States with fishing opportunities in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea. Germany and

Sweden have indicated to have direct management interest in the concerned areas and have forwarded

fisheries data. Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland also have fishing opportunities in and around

the site “Adler Grund og Rønnebanke”. However, only Estonia and Poland have forwarded relevant fisheries

data for their fisheries in/around the site. Estonia, Lithuania, Finland and Lativa have communicated that

they will not participate in the regional coordination process, and that they fully support the outcome of

this process and agreement reached. Hence, there is no need to forward fishery data.

The Danish AgriFish Agency has received fishery data for the period 2011-2015 from Germany, Sweden

and Poland. Estonia has contributed with fishery data for the period 2010-2012. DTU Aqua has carried out

the analysis regarding landings, catch value and effort in order to assess the impact, which the proposed

measures will have on current fishing activities. The analyses of fishing activities have been carried out on

the basis of VMS and log book data for vessels of 12 meters or larger, since smaller vessels are not obliged

to carry VMS. The fishing pattern for smaller vessels below 12 meters has only been assessed for Danish

and Swedish vessels, however, analyses of fishing patterns for smaller and larger vessels show that the

vessels use the same fishing grounds. Annex J describes in more detail how the fishery data have been

analyzed, and the methods used. The following sections (6.1-6.3) describe in more detail information

regarding fleet activity, type of fisheries, target species and annual trends for the period 2011-2015

(average values). Seasonal trends have not been analyzed due to the relatively low fishing activities in the

three sites. Annual landing and catch values are given in Annex K, whereas effort data is given in Annex L.

6.1 Fleet activity and type of fisheries German and Swedish registered fishing vessels have access to the Danish part of the Baltic Sea within 12

nautical miles, see section 2.2. No other Member States have direct management interest/rights within 12

nautical miles from the Danish coastline. The Danish part of the Baltic Sea has historically been an

important fishing area for Danish, Swedish and German fishermen. Concerning the site in the EEZ – all

Baltic Sea countries have fishing opportunities in and around the area.

Fishing activities conducted in and around the three sites include fishing with bottom trawls, pelagic trawls,

net gear, traps and lines. Only fishery data from fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting gears are

listed in the following sections, since only this activity is proposed to be banned.

Swedish fishing activities with mobile bottom contacting gears are limited in and around the site ‘Adler

Grund og Rønne Banke’. There are no registrations of Swedish vessels above 12 meters conducting fishery

with mobile bottom contacting gears in the other two sites.

German fishing activities are registered in all three sites, especially in the site “Flensborg Fjord”.

Estonian and Polish fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting gears are only conducted in and around

the site “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”. The exact location of Estonia activity can however not be

displayed, since the Estonian data is given per ICES square (38G4 and 39G4). The Polish data was

forwarded as landings from area “D7”, which covers part of the site “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”. The

Polish landings can therefore not with certainty be attributed to fishing activity directly within the site of

“Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”.


31

Danish and Swedish fishing activities within the three Natura 2000 sites constitutes less than 1‰ of the

total VMS effort in the western Baltic Sea – both in relation to fishing with mobile bottom contacting gears

and other gear types combined, see table 3 in Annex L.

The number of vessels conducting fishing activity in the three Natura 2000 sites are fairly low, see table 4

below, however, there is a trend of more Danish trawlers being present in the three areas concerned

compared to the number of Swedish, German and Polish vessels. No Swedish vessels above 12 meters use

the site ”Centrale Storebælt og Vresen” nor “Flensborg Fjord” for fishing. Polish vessels are present in and

around the site “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke” (1-5 in numbers).

According to VMS effort (see Annex L), the three Natura 2000 sites are not important fishing grounds for

Danish, German, Swedish, Estonian or Polish fishermen. Of these countries, Denmark seems to have the

highest effort values when looking at the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea area in general. Yet in and

around the Natura 2000 sites, the effort is fairly low. Swedish vessels have a relatively high VMS effort in

the Swedish part of the Baltic Sea, compared to the Danish part, where the highest intensity is found in

the area closest to the Danish-Swedish nautical border (Adler Grund og Rønne Banke). German vessels

seem to have a relative stable abundance (based on landings in the Danish part of the Baltic.

Table 4. Number of vessels fishing in Natura 2000 sites with mobile bottom contacting gears

and other gear types, respectively

Natura 2000 site

Danish vessels German vessels Swedish vessels Polish vessels

Mobile bottom contacting gears (other gears)




2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015


2 (1) 9 (2) 7 (0) 8 (0) 5 (0) 2 (0) 16(0) 2 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 1 (0) 0 (3) 2 (2) 0 (2) 0 (0) 0(1) 4(1) 1(0) 2(0) 0 (1)

Centrale Storebælt og Vresen

8 (2) 16(6) 16 (8) 12(3) 17 (7) 1 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)

No direct management interests

Flensborg Fjord

6 (6) 26(8) 23(5) 21(0) 15 (1) 7 (0) 8 (0) 16 (0) 14 (0) 14 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)

Since smaller fishing vessels (below 12 meters) do not carry VMS onboard, it has not been possible to

include the activity from these vessels in the analysis carried out in and around the three Natura 2000 sites

with regards to effort, fishing pattern, target species etc. However, based on dialogue with the Danish

Fishermen Association PO and general knowledge of fishing patterns also from Swedish vessels, the fishing

effort from smaller vessels is assessed to be similar to commercial fishing vessels above 12 meters.

Experiences from fisheries control at sea as well as from the FMC (the Danish Fishery Monitoring Centre)

confirms this assumption.

6.2 Target species and annual trends Analyses of target species and annual trends for fishing activity within the three Natura 2000 sites have

been made possible through a coupling of VMS-data and log book data, see Annex J-K (only for vessels

above 12 meters since VMS data is not available for smaller vessels due to lack of legal obligations). Focus

has been given to the period 2011-2015.

The following section describes in more detail fishing activity per site separately for Denmark, Sweden,

Germany, Poland and Estonia for the main target species; (2011-2015) for Danish, Swedish, German and


32

Polish fishery data and a three year period (2010-2012) for Estonian fishery data. Annex K lists fishery

data at species level per year per country.

Natura 2000 site ”Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”

A number of Member States, besides Denmark, conduct fishing activities in and around the Natura 2000

site ‘Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’, see table 5 and following figures. According to the forwarded fishery

data Germany, Sweden, Estonia and Poland also use the area for fishing with mobile bottom contacting

gears, alongside Denmark. The main target species in the area are Atlantic cod and a mixed range of

flatfish.

According to log book and VMS data, Danish fishermen conduct fishing activity with both pelagic- and

bottom trawls in the site. The average annual Danish landings from the bottom trawling fishery amounts to

approximately 9.500 kg at an estimated mean catch value of € 12.900 (for the years 2011-2015). If

looking at Danish annual values, the majority of registered landings took place in 2012 (35.500 kg at a

catch value of € 47.500), see Annex K, table 2 and 8.

German fishermen conduct a small scale fishery with mobile bottom contacting trawls, mainly for Atlantic

cod. The registered landings from the German vessels (mobile bottom contacting gears) amounts to

approximately 8.500 kg at an estimated catch value of € 11.700 (based on the period 2010-2015), see

Annex K, table 4 and 11.

Swedish fishermen also conduct a small scale fishery with mobile bottom contacting trawls for Atlantic cod,

besides fishery with nets and lines (also for Atlantic cod). The registered landings from the Swedish bottom

trawl fishery in the area amounts to approximately 2.300 kg at an estimated average catch value of €

3.000 (based on the period 2011-2015), see Annex K, table 3 and 10.

The Estonian fisheries data have been forwarded at ICES square level which may not give the exact values

of the Estonian fishery with mobile bottom contacting gears in and around the site “Adler Grund og Rønne

Banke”. The Danish AgriFish Agency wish to include all forwarded fishery data, as fishing activities with

mobile bottom contacting gears do take place within the boundaries of the Natura 2000 site. This results in

registered landings from Estonian fishermen to approximately 2.500 kg at an estimated mean catch value

of € 3.000 (based on the period 2010-2012).

The Polish fishery data has been forwarded for an area termed “area D7”, which covers part of the Natura

2000 site, see Annex K. The Polish landings can therefore not with certainty be matched to the site, as well

as there can be landings from the site which are not included in the dataset. The registered landings

indicate that Polish fishermen primarily conduct fishery with mobile bottom contacting gears in D7, where

the main target species are Atlantic cod and European flounder. These landings amounts to an

approximately annual landing of 5.800 kg at an estimated average catch value of € 7.600 (based on the

period 2011-2015). In 2015, there was no Polish activity in the area ‘D7’, see Annex K, table 6 and 13.


33

Table 5. Average landings per country and value of landings per gear type and target species for

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke. The values are estimated from log book and VMS data

MS / landings (in kg) Estimated value of catch (in €)

Type of gear Target species DK DE SE EST PL DK DE SE EST PL

Mobile bottom trawl

Atlantic cod 6,981 8,326 2,299 *** 4,261 11,362 ** 2,927 *** 7,280

European flounder 66 102 0 *** 1,055 22 ** 0 *** 291

Others* 247 54 0 2,417 502 144 ** 0 2,861 19

Total 7,295 8,482 2,299 2,417 5,818 11,528 11,668 2,927 2,861 7,589 *) Others; catches below 200 kg are summarized in this category. **) Value of landings received as a total and not at specie level ***) Estonian data are received at Ices square level and not per Natura 2000 site. The data are further received as totals and not specie level.


34

Figure 5a. Maps of Adler Grund og Rønne Banke showing reef structures, proposed buffer zones

and VMS positions for Danish vessels above 12 meters – lower map showing fishing activities

with bottom contacting gears and upper map showing fishing activities with other gear types.


35

Figure 5b. Maps of Adler Grund og Rønne Banke showing reef structures, proposed buffer zones

and VMS positions for Swedish, German and Estonian vessels above 12 meters – lower map

showing fishing activities with bottom contacting gears and upper map showing fishing

activities with other gear types.


36

Natura 2000 site ”Centrale Storebælt og Vresen”

Danish and German fishermen conduct fishing activities in and around the Natura 2000 site “Centrale

Storebælt og Vresen”, see table 6 and figures 6a and 6b. The red polygon shown in figure 6a, is the area in

which a potential conflict between reef structures and fishery with mobile bottom contacting gears exists.

Since the resolution of the mapping is fairly low, the site therefore cannot in accordance with the Danish

definition of reef structures, be closed for fishery.

According to log books and VMS data, Danish fishermen conduct an extensive fishery in the area with both

net gears, pelagic- and bottom contacting trawls. The target species in the fishery with mobile bottom

contacting gears are primarily Atlantic cod, sprat and different flatfishes.

The Danish average landings amount to approximately 354.000 kg at an estimated mean catch value of €

390.700 (based on the period 2011-2015). The majority of the Danish landings took place in 2015

(766.3385 kg at an estimated catch value of € 604.266), see Annex K, table 2 and 8.

According to log books and VMS data from German fishermen, they conduct a small scale fishery for

European flounder and plaice as well as cod with mobile bottom contacting gears. There are only registered

landings from this fishery in 2011, which for this year amounts to approximately 4.000 kg at an estimated

catch value of € 10.000. In the period 2012-2015 there are no registered landing from German vessels

from this site, see Annex K, table 4 and 11.

There are no records of Swedish fishermen conducting fishery in this area when looking at the period of

2011-2015, see table 6 and figures 6a and 6b.

Fishery data for smaller vessels are not available for the area for Danish and German vessels. Fishing

activity with smaller vessels (below 12 meters) are for Denmark and Germany estimated to be similar to

those of larger vessels. This assumption is supported by information of fishing patterns for smaller vessels

provided by the Danish Fishermen Association. However, some smaller vessels may likely be affected by

the proposed measures, since they do use the areas where the reefs are comprised of smaller stones (in

the buffer zones), when fishing with mobile bottom contacting gears.


Centrale Storebælt og Vresen. The values are estimated from log book and VMS data

Country / Landings (in kg) Estimated value of catch (in €)

Type of gear Target species DK DE SE DK DE SE

Mobile bottom trawl

Atlantic cod 87,781 131 0 173,983 ** 0

Brill 582 19 0 3,661 ** 0

Common dab 6,167 56 0 4,711 ** 0

Common sole 2,219 106 0 27,470 ** 0

European flounder 18,387 263 0 10,045 ** 0

European plaice 31,924 218 0 32,925 ** 0

Lumpfish 582 1 0 1,477 ** 0

Sprat 37,257 0 0 9,932 ** 0

Turbot 496 11 0 3,968 ** 0

Others* 2,805 5 0 1,896 ** 0

Total 188.201 808 0 270,067 2,010 0

*) Others; catches below 200 kg are summarized in this category. **) Value of landings received as a total and not per specie.


37

Figure 6a. Maps of Centrale Storebælt og Vresen showing reef structures, proposed buffer zones

and VMS positions for Danish vessels above 12 meters – lower map showing fishing activities

with bottom contacting gears and upper map showing fishing activities with other gear types.


38

Figure 6b. Maps of Centrale Storebælt og Vresen showing reef structures, proposed buffer zones

and VMS positions for Swedish and German vessels above 12 meters – lower map showing

fishing activities with bottom contacting gears and upper map showing fishing activities with

other gear types.


39

Natura 2000 site ”Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als”

Danish and German fishermen conduct fishing activities in and around the Natura 2000 site ‘Flensborg

Fjord’, see table 7 and figures 7a and 7b.

According to log book and VMS data, Danish fishermen conduct fishery in the area with both pelagic and

mobile bottom contacting gears. The target species are primarily cod and different flatfishes. The Danish

average annual landings amounts to approximately 699.300 kg at an estimated average catch value of

around € 431.600 (based on the years 2011-2015). The majority of Danish landings took place in 2011

(1,370,000 kg at an estimated average catch value of € 370.000), see Annex K, table 2 and 8. In later

years, landings reduced and catch values went up

According to log book and VMS data from German fishermen, these conduct fishery with mobile bottom

contacting gears in the area. The registered German landings from this fishery amounts to approximately

78.100 kg at an estimated average catch value of € 47.000 (based on the period 2011-2015).

Swedish fishermen have no registered landings from the area form the period 2011-2015, see table 7 and

figures 7a and 7b.

Fishery data for smaller vessels are not available for the area for Danish nor German vessels. Fishing

activity with smaller vessels (below 12 meters) are for Denmark and Germany estimated to be similar to

those of larger vessels. This assumption is supported by information of fishing patterns for smaller vessels

provided by the Danish Fishermen Association PO. However, some smaller vessels may likely be affected

by the proposed measures, since they do use the areas where the reefs are comprised of smaller stones

(in the buffer zones), when fishing with mobile bottom contacting gears.


Flensborg Fjord. The values are estimated from log book and VMS data

Country / Landings (in kg) Estimated value of catch (in €)

Type of gear Target species DK DE SE DK DE SE

Mobile bottom trawl

Atlantic cod 117,622 6,927 0 203,435 ** 0

Common dab 19,763 7,131 0 12,204 ** 0

European flounder 31,600 6,145 0 14,441 ** 0

European plaice 92,132 8,568 0 82,372 ** 0

Sprat 272 16,034 0 70 ** 0

Turbot 245 57 0 1,589 ** 0

Whiting 400 15,424 0 195 ** 0

Others* 429 17,846 0 2,119 ** 0

Total 262.462 78,133 0 316,424 46,977 0

*) Others; catches below 200 kg are summarized in this category. **)Value of landings received as a total and not per specie.


40

Figure 7a. Maps of Flensborg Fjord showing reef structures, proposed buffer zones and VMS

positions for Danish vessels above 12 meters – lower map showing fishing activities with bottom contacting gears and upper map showing fishing activities with other gear types.


41

Figure 7b. Maps of Flensborg Fjord showing reef structures, proposed buffer zones and VMS

positions for Swedish and German vessels above 12 meters – lower map showing fishing activities with bottom contacting gears and upper map showing fishing activities with other gear types.


42

6.3 Displacement Analysis of fishing patterns based on VMS positions and log book data indicate, that the proposed fisheries

management measures are not likely to have a great impact in relation to the current fishing activities in

the western Baltic for Danish, Swedish, German, Estonian and Polish vessels. For Danish and German

vessels, the western Baltic area is an important fishing ground, however, the areas addressed in the

present proposal are characterized by reef structures and are, therefore, not preferred fishing grounds

primarily due to the risk of damage to the fishing gear used from contact with the reef structures.

Danish fishermen carry out fishing activities with mobile bottom contacting gear in all the three Natura

2000 sites in question, however, the activities are not taking place in areas mapped as reefs, and will

therefore only be displaced in a minor degree due to the proposed fisheries management measures. There

are, however, indications that smaller vessels are conducting fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting

gears in the area of Flensborg Fjord, solely in areas characterized by less dense stone occurrences. These

fishermen will be displaced from the area if this activity is taking place in the outlined buffer zones unless

they change gear type and fish with pelagic trawls instead of mobile bottom contacting trawls.

Swedish vessels have some fishing activities according to VMS and log book data in only one of the sites.

However the degree of mobile bottom contacting fishery there is still very limited.

Germany have fishing activities in all three sites. Like for the Danish vessels it is assumed that the

displacement will be the same as that for the Danish vessels in the areas.

The overall conclusion in relation to displacement is therefore, that the proposed fisheries management

measures for protection of reef structures will not have any significant impact on the fishing activities in

the Western Baltic area in general for the Member States with fishing rights within 12 nautical miles, e.g.

Swedish, German and Danish vessels. Likewise, Member States with fishing rights in the Danish EEZ

around the site Adler Grund og Rønne Banke will not be displaced from current fishing grounds by the

proposed fisheries management measures.

The majority of the areas within the three Natura 2000 sites will still be open for fishing activities with

nets, traps/pots and pelagic trawls. VMS effort data confirms that the three Natura 2000 sites are not so

important fishing areas for neither Danish, Swedish, German, Estonian nor Polish fishermen. However, it

cannot be excluded that the proposed fisheries management measures might have an effect on some

fishermen, carrying out fishing activities in the outlined buffer zones. This activity is estimated to be of a

quantity, which can be fished elsewhere. However, this potential impact is, according to the available

fishery data, minimal.

Assessment of displacement is important not only in terms of potential effects to ongoing fishing activities

but also in relation to the marine environment. Displacement of fishing activities to less productive areas

can potentially cause great damage to the marine environment, thus resulting in an overall negative

impact. The proposed fisheries measures in the present proposal will in general not result in displacement

of fishing activities, since the areas proposed closed to fishing activity are not the most important fishing

grounds for Danish, Swedish, German, Estonian nor Polish fishermen.

6.4 Control, enforcement and monitoring The following two sections describe how the proposed management measures will be controlled, enforced

and monitored. Changes in conservation status as well as monitoring of effects of implemented

management measures are assessed in the Danish Monitoring Program (NOVANA).


43

6.4.1 Control and enforcement

Control and enforcement of fishery management measures in marine Natura 2000 sites in Denmark is

coordinated by the Fishery Monitoring Center (FMC) under the Danish Agrifish Agency located in Kolding,

Jutland. The Danish FMC has developed specific guidelines for fisheries control and enforcement, which

were launched parallel to the implementation of the first national order for the protection of reef structures

in four coastal Natura 2000 sites located in the western Baltic Sea.

All marine Natura 2000 sites are visible in the Danish V-track system30. The Danish FMC has developed a

model whereby the center is alerted if and when a vessel enters the outlined area (control area) placed

around the Natura 2000 sites for which fisheries management measures have been implemented. The

control area has a minimum size of 4 nautical miles whereby any activity in the area will be detected.

Every day FMC receives a list of the vessels which have been detected in the control areas the previous

day. In case a vessel has been detected within a Natura 2000 site, an analysis of the vessels fishing

pattern is carried out and the vessel is contacted with the purpose of informing the vessel owner of current

fisheries management measures. The model allows for real time control as well as administrative control.

Since September 2013 when the first national administrative order was implemented for protection of reef

structures in 4 coastal Natura 2000 sites, the FMC has detected both gillnet vessels and trawlers in the

areas closed for fishing activities with mobile bottom contacting gear. An open dialogue with the fishermen

so far seems to have had an effect.

Control and enforcement of fisheries management measures in marine Natura 2000 sites in Danish waters

are centered around the VMS system, the risk based system used in regular fisheries control and

enforcement as well as open dialogue with fishermen and their organizations. The Danish AgriFish Agency

is fully aware of the challenges of control and enforcement of fisheries management measures for relatively

small Natura 2000 sites, which can be passed in the time between two VMS pings.

Analysis of the fishing patterns in and around the three Natura 2000 sites which the present proposal

covers, show that fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting gear in the two areas is quite extensive

(Flensborg Fjord and Centrale Storebælt). However, the fishing activity do not take place in areas mapped

as reefs code H1170, but some fishing activity is seen in the buffer zones placed around the reefs. The

analyses is based on VMS positions for Danish, Swedish and German vessels as well as information from

smaller Danish vessels – see section 6.1 and 6.2 for more information on fishing pattern, target species

etc. With the current fishing activity in mind, control and enforcement does not seem to be a major issue

under a new regime with prohibition of certain fishing activities in the three Natura 2000 sites].

Denmark will reassess whether there is a need for additional technical equipment in relation to control and

enforcement of the proposed fisheries management measures. An evaluation of the Danish control and

enforcement model will take place in summer 2018 when the measures adopted for 10 Natura 2000 sites

(Delegated Act (EU) 2015/1778) has been in place for 18 months. Thus, the Danish AgriFish Agency will, if

the need arises, require usage of technical equipment (GPS and sensors as a minimum), in line with the

current CCTV and technical specifications for some types of fishing activities in Danish waters both within

and outside 12 nautical miles. If the need arises for technical equipment in relation to fisheries control and

enforcement – Denmark will coordinate such a requirement in accordance with Article 11 and 18 of the

Basic Regulation and with the Member States having a direct management interest in the area, e.g.

Germany, Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Lithuania.

6.4.2 The national monitoring program – NOVANA

In Denmark, reef structures in Natura 2000 sites are monitored through NOVANA, the Danish national

monitoring program. Within this program, reefs in open waters are monitored by the Danish Centre for

30 The V-track system displays VMS positions for vessels. For all vessels above 12 meters VMS is mandatory.


44

Environment and Energy (DCE) University of Aarhus. DCE monitors reefs in 34 Natura 2000 sites following

specific national guidelines. Of the 34 areas, boulder reefs in 12 areas are monitored yearly, whereas

boulder reefs and “bubbling reefs” in the remaining 22 areas are monitored every six years. In addition to

this program, the Danish Agency for water and nature management monitors macro algae coverage and

fauna on transects on rocky substrates in the coastal sites31. Thus, the main aim is an assessment of

biodiversity on and around the reef structures.

Thus, the effect of the proposed management measures will be monitored through the Danish national

monitoring program NOVANA. Data from the marine monitoring stations located within and/or close to the

Natura 2000 sites concerned provides the basis for the description of the current conservation status both

in relation to basic analyses plans and management plans with macro algae being the main indicator.

Of the three Natura 2000 sites that the present proposal deals with; Adler Grund is monitored at four

different depths every six years (last monitored in 2016) and Flensborg Fjord; is monitored at three

different depths every six years (last monitored in 2013) as well as four areas coastally. Within the site of

Centrale Storebælt, there is a separate small Natura 2000 site called “Broen”, the reef structures in this

minor site is monitored at four different depths every year, additionally one coastal macro algae station is

located within the site.

6.4.3 Expected outcome of the proposed fisheries management measures

The proposed fisheries management measures are expected to contribute to the obligation of ensuring a

favorable conservation status for reef structures in Danish waters, e.g. reef structures with habitat code

H1170.

Several studies have shown that fishing with mobile bottom contacting gears has a negative effect on the

physical distribution of reef structures as well as their function in the ecosystem. When a trawl passes,

stones and vegetation are damaged. These areas were once fishing grounds. Reduced effort and change of

fishing gears to lighter trawls has resulted in low fishing effort in these areas when looking at the period

2011-2015. However, despite low fishing intensity in recent years, there is a need to ensure that the

activity cannot be reinstated in the future. Furthermore, until 2010, fishing for stones was allowed in

Danish waters, also in areas now designated as Natura 2000 sites designated for reef structures. Until

2008, extraction of building material was also taking place in areas now designated as Natura 2000 sites.

Thus, reef structures in Danish waters have been impacted from a range of activities over time and is now

classified as being in an unfavorable conservation status, see Annex A. A total ban for fishing with mobile

bottom contacting gears in areas mapped as reefs and in the surrounding buffer zone is expecting to

contribute to an improved conservation status over time. A process which takes time and which should

been seen a one of several initiatives from the Danish Government to improve the conservation status of

these and other reef structures. Other initiatives cover regulation of extraction of sand and gravel,

reduction of nutrient content in the water column, both by less flow from agricultural land but also through

removal of nutrients from the water column by mussel production, outgrow of eel-grass among other

initiatives.

Any change in conservation status and growth of characteristic species is monitored through the national

monitoring program as described in section 6.4.2.

31 Dahl, K. and Carstensen, J. (2008): Tools to assess conservation status on open water reefs in Natura 2000 areas. Nat Env R Inst, University of Aarhus, 25 pp. NERI Technical Report No. 663: http:// www.dmu.dk/Pub/FR663.pdf

http://www.dmu.dk/Pub/FR663.pdf


45

References 1. Council Directive 92/43/EEC, of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and

flora: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1992L0043:20070101:EN:PDF

2. Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 30 November 2009 on the

conservation of wild birds: http://eur-

lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:020:0007:0025:en:PDF

3. Link Natura 2000 Management plans: http://svana.dk/natur/natura-2000/natura-2000-planer/natura-2000-planer-

2009-15/

4. Adler Grund: management plan to be adopted during 2016 – also here reefs will be given in UFC.

5. Freese, et al. 1999 – Effects of trawling on seafloor habitat and associated invertebrate taxa in the Gulf of

Alaska. Marine Ecology-Progress series 182: 119-126; Dahl, K. 2005: Effekter af fiskeri på stenrevs

algevegetation. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 16 s. – Faglig rapport fra DMU nr. 526; Kaiser, M. J., Collie, J.

S., Hall, S. J., Jennings, S. and Poiner, I. R. (2002), Modification of marine habitats by trawling activities:

prognosis and solutions. Fish and Fisheries, 3: 114–136; ICES. 2009. Report of the EMPAS project

(Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Protected Areas), 2006‐2008, an ICES‐BfN project. 123 pp.;

ICES. 2006. Report of the Working Group on Ecosystem Effects of Fishing Activities (WGECO), 5 12 April

2006 , ICES Headquarters, Copenhagen. ACE:05. 174 pp; Howarth et al. 2015 – Sessile and mobile components

of a benthic ecosystem display mixed trends within a temperate marine reserve. Marine Environmental Research

107: 8-23.

6. Basic Regulation 1380/2013, art. 4, § 1, no. 22; “Member State having a direct management interest means a

Member State which has an interest consisting of either fishing opportunities or a fishery taking place in the

exclusive economic zone og the Member State concerned”: http://eur-

lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:354:0022:0061:EN:PDF

7. Link Guidance document: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/marine/docs/fish_measures.pdf

8. Link to Council Regulation http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-

content/EN/TXT/?qid=1467024866502&uri=CELEX:32015R2072

9. Link Act on Environmental Goals: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=127102

10. Link Fisheries Act: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/r0710.aspx?id=121218

11. Link Administrative order no. 408, 1 May 2007: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=13043

12. Link Administrative order no. 1114, 25 November 2011:


13. Link: Report – Mapping of Natura 2000 sites in 2011: http://naturstyrelsen.dk/publikationer/alle-

publikationer/2013/dec/kortlaegning-af-natura-2000-habitaterne-boblerev-(1180)-rev-(1170)-sandbanker-

(1110)/

14. The Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum:

http://naturerhverv.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/NaturErhverv/Filer/Fiskeri/Natura_2000_hav/Natura_2000_dialog

forum/Revideret_kommissorium_for_N2000_Dialogforum_020513.pdf

15. Vessel monitoring systems: satellite based monitoring system used in commercial fisheries.

16. Link Administrative order no. 1048 of 28 August 2013:


17. Cook R, Farinas-Franco JM, Gell FR, Holt RHF, Holt T, Lindenbaum C, Porter JS, Seed R, Skates LR, Stringell

TB, Sanderson WG. 2013. The substantial first impact of bottom fishing on rare biodiversity hotspots: a dilemma

for evidence-based conservation. PLOS ONE 8(8), 10 pp.

18. Dahl, K. (2005): Effekter af fiskeri på stenrevs algevegetation. Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser. 16 s. – Faglig

rapport fra DMU nr. 526; Kaiser, M. J., Collie, J. S., Hall, S. J., Jennings, S. and Poiner, I. R. (2002), Modification

of marine habitats by trawling activities: prognosis and solutions. Fish and Fisheries, 3: 114–136; ICES. 2009.

Report of the EMPAS project (Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Protected Areas), 2006‐2008, an

ICES‐BfN project. 123 pp.


rapport fra DMU nr. 526; Fenberg P.B.*, Caselle J., Claudet J., Clemence M., Gaines S., García-Charton J.A.,

Gonçalves E., Grorud-Colvert K., Guidetti P., Jenkins S., Jones P.J.S., Lester S., McAllen R., Moland E., Planes

S. and Sørensen T.K. (2012) The science of European marine reserves: status, efficacy and needs. Marine Policy

36(5), 1012-1021; Collie, J. S., Hall, S. J., Kaiser, M. J. and Poiner, I. R. (2000), A quantitative analysis of fishing

impacts on shelf-sea benthos. Journal of Animal Ecology, 69: 785–798.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1992L0043:20070101:EN:PDF





http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:354:0022:0061:EN:PDF

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:354:0022:0061:EN:PDF



https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/r0710.aspx?id=121218



http://naturstyrelsen.dk/publikationer/alle-publikationer/2013/dec/kortlaegning-af-natura-2000-habitaterne-boblerev-(1180)-rev-(1170)-sandbanker-(1110)/







46


rapport fra DMU nr. 526; Kaiser, M. J., Collie, J. S., Hall, S. J., Jennings, S. and Poiner, I. R. (2002),

Modification of marine habitats by trawling activities: prognosis and solutions. Fish and Fisheries, 3: 114–136;

ICES. 2009. Report of the EMPAS project (Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Protected Areas),

2006‐2008, an ICES‐BfN project. 123 pp.

21. Habitat No. H261, Natura 2000 site No. 252, EU site code: DK00VA261

22. Link to Natura 2000 management plan for Adler Grund og Rønne Banke:


23. Habitat No. H204, Natura 2000 site No. 204, EU site code: DK00VA303

24. Link to Natura 2000 management plan for Centrale Storebælt og Vresen:

http://svana.dk/media/189242/n116_n2000plan_2016-21.pdf 25. Habitat No. H173, Natura 2000 site No. 197, EU site code: DK00VA254

26. Link to Natura 2000 management plan for Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als:

http://svana.dk/media/201577/197_h173plan.pdf 27. Further reference to this principle in Danish case law: Decision by the Supreme Court (Højesterets Kendelse

356/2011): http://www.domstol.dk/hojesteret/nyheder/Afgorelser/Documents/356-2011.pdf

28. The V-track system displays VMS positions for vessels. For all vessels above 12 meters VMS is mandatory.

29. Eigaard OR, Bastardie F, Breen M, Dinesen GE, Hintzen NT, Laffargue P, Mortensen LO, Nielsen JR, Nilsson HC, O’Neill FG,

Polet H, Reid DG, Sala A, Sköld M, Smith C, Sørensen TK, Tully O, Zengin M, Rijnsdorp AD. 2016. Estimating seabed pressure

from demersal trawls, seines, and dredges based on gear design and dimensions. ICES Journal of Marine Science 73(1), i27-

i43. [doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsv099]

30. Dahl, K. and Carstensen, J. (2008): Tools to assess conservation status on open water reefs in Natura 2000 areas. Nat Env R

Inst, University of Aarhus, 25 pp. NERI Technical Report No. 663: http:// www.dmu.dk/Pub/FR663.pdf




http://www.domstol.dk/hojesteret/nyheder/Afgorelser/Documents/356-2011.pdf

http://www.dmu.dk/Pub/FR663.pdf


47

List of Annexes

Annex A: Map of Danish marine Natura 2000 network

Annex B: Overview of designation of Natura 2000 sites

Annex C: TAC’s and Fishing opportunities for 2016

Annex D: Overview of the 11 information items in Commission’s guideline from 2008

Annex E: Scientific advice – Buffer zones

Annex F: Overview of formal and informal consultations

Annex G: Summary of outcome of regional coordination process

Annex H: Summary of outcome of consultation with the Danish Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum and Advisory Councils

Annex I: Buffer zone coordinates for ’Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’, ’Centrale Storebælt og Vresen’

and ’Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als’

Annex J: Fishery data: Description of methods

Annex K: Total landings and catch values

Annex L: Fishery effort


48

Annex A – Map of Danish marine Natura 2000 network

Designation codes are used (marine only) – definitions and further information regarding the designation

types appears in the EU Commission´s “Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats”32 and “Code list

for species” on the Reference Portal for Natura 200033.

1095 Sea lamprey

1099 River lamprey

1103 Twait shad

1110 Sandbank which are slightly covered by sea water all the time

1140 Mudflats and sandflats not covered by sea water at low tide

32 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/docs/Int_Manual_EU28.pdf 33 http://bd.eionet.europa.eu/activities/Natura_2000/reference_portal

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/docs/Int_Manual_EU28.pdf


49

1150 Coastal lagoons

1160 Large shallow inlets and bays

1170 Reefs

1180 Submarine structures made by leaking gases

1351 Harbour porpoise

1364 Grey seal

1365 Harbour seal

A range of bird species

Table of designated habitat types and species for the 97 Danish Natura 2000 sites is given in the following

pages.

EU site code N2000 site name (in Danish) Size (ha) Designated for: (only marine habitats and species mentioned)

DK00FX112 Skagens Gren og Skagerrak 270.295 1351, 1150

DK00FX113 Hirsholmene, havet vest herfor og Ellinge Å’s udløb

9.533 1095,1364,1365,1110,1150,1170,1180, birds

DK00FX010 Strandenge på Læsø og havet syd herfor

102.714 1364,1365,1110,1140,1150,1170,1180, birds

DK00FX118 Holtemmen, Højsande og Nordmarken

713 1150

DK00FX122 Ålborg Bugt, Randers Fjord og Mariager Fjord

72.197 1095,1099,1103,1365,1355,1110,1130,1140,1150, 1160, birds

DK00FX123 Nibe Bredning, Halkær Ådal og Sønderup Ådal

20.341 1095,1099,1355,1365,1110,1150,1160,1170,1140, Birds

DK00EY124 Løgstør Bredning, Vejlerne og Bulbjerg

44.768 1095,1355,1365,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00FX257 Havet omkring Nordre Rønner 18.535 1364,1365,1110,1140,1170,1180, birds

DK00FX128 Kielstrup Sø 40 1110, 1150

DK00EY133 Agger Tange, Nissum Bredning, Skibsted Fjord og Agerø

33.165 1103,1355,1365,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00EX026 Dråby Vig 1.678 1103,1355,1365,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00EY134 Lovns Bredning, Hjarbæk Fjord og Skals, Simested mv.

23.520 1103,1355,1365,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00EX135 Kås Hoved 396 1355, 1150

DK00EY136 Sønder Lem Vig og Geddal Strandenge

1.115 1355, 1150

DK00EX258 Mågerodde og Karby Odde 497 1355,1150,1160, birds

DK00DX146 Anholt og havet nord for 47.878 1364,1365,1110,1150, birds

DK00DX151 Begtrup Vig og kystområder ved Helgenæs

1.771 1110,1150,1160,1170

DK00DX155 Stavns Fjord, Samsø Østerflak og Nordby Hede

15.663 1364,1365,1110,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00DY156 Horsens Fjord, havet øst for og Endelave

45.823 1355,1364,1365,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00CY040 Venø, Venø Sund 2.926 1103,1365,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00CX160 Nissum Fjord 6.430 1095,1099,1103,1106,1355,1150, birds

DK00CX161 Stadil Fjord og Vest Stadil Fjord 6.903 1095,1355,1150, birds

DK00CY163 Ringkøbing Fjord og Nymindestrømmen

21.810 1095,1099,1102,1103,1106,1355,1130,1150, birds

DK00AY176 Vadehavet med Ribe Å, Tved Å og Varde Å vest for Varde

151.158 1095,1099,1103,1106,1113,1351,1355,1364,1365, 1110,1130,1140,1150,1160,1170,birds

DK008X182 Fyns Hoved, Lillegrund og Lillestrand

1.960 1351,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170

DK008X184 Æbelø, havet syd for og Nærå 13.161 1351,1365,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK008X185 Havet mellem Romsø og Hindsholm samt Romsø

4.328 1351,1110,1150,1160,1170

DK008X075 Odense Fjord 4.136 1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds


50

DK008X047 Lillebælt 35.043 1351,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK008X189 Østerø Sø 57 1150

DK008X190 Centrale Storebælt og Vresen 8.572 1351, 1170, birds

DK008X197 Bøjden Nor 114 1150

DK008X198 Maden på Helnæs og havet vest for

1.696 1351,1110,1160,1170

DK008X199 Vestlige del af Avernakø 124 1150

DK00VA200 Stenrev sydøst for Langeland 1.484 1110, 1170

DK008X201 Sydfynske Øhav 37.000 1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK003X202 Hesselø med omliggende stenrev

4.193 1364,1365,1110,1150,1170

DK003X209 Roskilde Fjord 14.810 1110,1140,1150,1160, birds

DK002X110 Saltholm og omliggende hav 5.405 1364,1365,1110,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK002X111 Vestamager og havet syd for 6.179 1110,1150,1160, birds

DK004X217 Ølsemagle Strand og Staunings Ø

348 1140,1150,1160

DK005Y220 Havet og kysten mellem Hundested og Rørvig

3.900 1110,1150,1160, birds

DK005X221 Sejerø Bugt og Saltbæk Vig 40.000 1355,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170,birds

DK005X222 Udby Vig 384 1140, 1160

DK005X223 Åmose, Tissø, Halleby Å og Flasken

2.000 1130, 1150, birds

DK005Y229 Skælskør Fjord og havet og kysten mellem Agersø og Glænø

14.000

1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK005X097 Hov Vig 45 birds

DK005X276 Røsnæs, Røsnæs Rev og Kalundborg Fjord

5.540 1351,1365,1160,1170

DK006X233 Havet og kysten mellem Præstø Fjord og Grønsund

28.600 1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK006X234 Havet og kysten mellem Karrebæk Fjord og Knudshoved Odde

16.458

1365,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK00VA235 Kirkegrund 1.761 1110, 1170

DK006X090 Klinteskoven og Klinteskov kalkgrund

2.000 birds

DK006X238 Smålandsfarvandet nord for Lolland, Guldborg Sund mv.

79.069 1364,1365,1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK006X242 Nakskov Fjord og inderfjord 7.574 1110,1140,1150,1160,1170, birds

DK006X260 Stege Nor 572 1150

DK006X279 Busemarke Mose og Råby Sø 242 1150

DK007X079 Ertholmene 1.256 1364, 1170, birds

DK00VA247 Kims Top og den Kinesiske Mur 26.092 1170, 1180

DK00VA248 Herthas Flak 1.380 1110,1170,1180

DK00VA249 Læsø Trindel og Tønneberg Banke

8.123 1110,1170,1180

DK00VA250 Store Middelgrund 2.094 1351,1110,1170,1180

DK00VA170 Mejl Flak 3.907 1110, 1170

DK00VA171 Gilleleje Flak og Tragten 15.034 1351,1110,1170

DK00VA253 Ryggen 437 1110, 1170

DK00VA254 Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als

64.922 1351,1110,1170, birds

DK00VA255 Hatterbarn 633 1170

DK00VA256 Broen 588 1110, 1170

DK00VA301 Lønstrup Rødgrund 9.283 1170

DK00VA302 Knudegrund 748 1170

DK00VA303 Schultz og Hastens Grund samt Briseis Flak

20.710 1110, 1170

DK00VA304 Munkegrund 1.329 1110, 1170

DK00VA305 Stevns Rev 4.640 1110, 1170


51

DK00VA299 Lysegrund 3.158 1110, 1170

DK00VA307 Bøchers Grund 1.098 1170

DK00VA308 Davids Banke 838 1170

DK00VA309 Hvideodde Rev 789 1170

DK00VA310 Bakkebrædt og Bakkegrund 299 1110, 1170

DK00VA340 Sandbanker ud for Thyborøn 6.325 1110

DK00VA341 Sandbanker ud for Thorsminde 6.354 1110

DK00EX284 Risum Enge og Selde Vig 322 1110,1140,1150,1160

DK00DX319 Kastbjerg Ådal 38 1355,1110,1150,1160

DK00DX300 Mols Bjerge med kystvande 2.915 1110,1160,1170

DK00DX321 Kaløskovene og Kaløvig 280 1110,1140,1160,1170

DK00DX322 Kobberhage kystarealer 792 1110, 1170

DK003X297 Jægerspris Skydeterræn 569 1140, 1160

DK004Y335 Ryegård Dyrehave, Bramsnæs mv.

197 1160

DK008X329 Thurø Rev 163 1110,1150,1160,1170

DK00VA330 Ebbeløkke Rev 140 1170

DK003X333 Kyndby Kyst 360 1110,1140,1150,1160,1170

DK00FX122 Ålborg Bugt, østlige del 177.360 birds

DK00VA347 Sydlige Nordsø 246.296 1351,1364,1365,1110

DK00VA348 Thyborøn Stenvolde 7.804 1170

DK00VA257 Jyske Rev, Lillefiskerbanke 24.083 1170

DK00VA258 Store Rev 10.892 1351,1170,1180

DK00VA259 Gule Rev 47.059 1351, 1170

DK00VA260 Fermern Bælt 11.456 1351

DK00VA261 Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 31.910 1110, 1170

Map Natura 2000 network (Danish Natura 2000 sites concerned are given in separate

color


52

State of play – Sweden

In Sweden, there is an ongoing process concerning fisheries conservation measures in marine protected

areas. A questionnaire was sent out to the County Administrative Boards responsible for the

implementation and management of the protected areas in 2014. The results from the questionnaire show

that fisheries conservation measures need to be adopted in around 30 marine protected areas in Sweden

for the purpose of complying with obligations under environmental legislation. Of these, there are about

ten areas located outside 12 nautical miles and therefore will be treated within articles 11 and 18 of the

Common Fisheries Policy.

Additionally, a number of marine protected areas are soon to be implemented in order to reach the Swedish environmental milestone target of 10% protection in an ecologically representative, connected

and functional network of marine protected areas.

For HELCOM biotopes and biotope complexes se HELCOM MPA database

State of Play – implementation of Natura 2000 in Denmark in relation to fishery

In the first plan period (2010-2015), Denmark has focus on protection of reef structures from

irreversible damages due to impact from fishing activity.

The sites concerned in the present proposal, have also been designated for other marine habitats and

species, e.g. sandbanks, harbor porpoises, seabirds etc. Formulation of necessary fisheries

management measures in relation to the remaining habitats and species will be dealt with at a later

stage. Several projects have been launched to increase the knowledge base regarding by-catch of

harbor porpoises and seabirds.

Marine habitats and species to be given special focus will also be addressed in the management plans

for the second plan period, which came into force in 2016.

In relation to protection of reef structures in the Danish part of the western Baltic Sea, state of play is

that once the three sites the present proposal covers, have been fully protected, all Danish sites

designated for reefs are protected.

At a national level – protection of reef structures is progressing. Of the 65 sites designated for reef,

by end 2016 Denmark expects to have fully protected reef structures in 57 sites.

Natura 2000 site: Designated for: Present conservation status/ trend:

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 1110 Sandbanks 1170 Reefs

Unfavourable conservation status Unfavourable conservation status

Centrale Storebælt og Vresen 1170 Reefs

1351 Harbor porpoises Common eider Sandwich tern Little tern

Unfavourable conservation status

Unfavourable conservation status Decreasing Increasing Stable

Flensborg Fjord 1110 Sandbanks 1170 Reefs 1351 Harbor porpoises Birds: Common eider (winthering) Common goldeneye (winthering)

Unfavourable conservation status Unfavourable conservation status Unfavourable conservation status Trend: Decreasing Stable


53

According to the latest Article 17 reporting, which is done at biogeographical level (MATL), the status of the

Natura 2000 habitats and species were in 2013:

- Sandbanks – unfavorable with a negative trend - Reefs – unfavorable with stable or unknown trend - Submarine structures made by leaking gasses - unfavorable with stable or unknown trend

- Harbor porpoise - unfavorable with stable or unknown trend

State of play – Germany

In the Baltic Sea, Germany has also designated a range of Natura 2000 sites. Fisheries management

measures for the German Natura 2000 sites “Adlergrund” (Protection of habitat types H1110, sandbanks,

and H1170, reefs) and “Westliche Rönnebank” (Protection of habitat type H1170, reefs) are in drafting and

subject to internal consultations.

State of play – Poland

Poland has designated 17 marine Natura 2000 sites. Almost half of them (8) are protected under the Birds

Directive and 8 under the Habitats directive. Additionally, one area (Ławica Słupska PLC990001) is

protected under both the Habitats and Birds directives. Most of the sites are located in the Polish territorial

waters, except for Ostoja na Zatoce Pomorskiej and Zatoka Pomorska (PLH990002 and PLB990003) which

are partly located in the Polish EEZ and Ławica Słupska which is located in the Polish EEZ.

Polish marine Natura 2000 network under the Habitats directive has been designated to protect such

habitats as H1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water, H1130 Estuaries, H1150 Coastal

lagoons, H1160 Large shallow inlets and bays, and H1170 Reefs, and also to protect species of fish (Sea

and River lamprey, Twait shad) and marine mammals (Grey seal and Harbor porpoise). Poland does not

have plans to enhance the Polish network of marine Natura 2000 sites in the nearest future, however, Sea

lamprey will be added in one area, as a purpose for protection (Ujscie Odry & Zalew Szczeciński

PLH320018).

None of the Polish Natura 2000 sites are located in a proximity to the Danish Natura 2000 sites.

Protection plans for Polish marine Natura 2000 sites are under preparation. Most advanced is preparation

of protection plans for sites located in the Eastern part of the Polish Baltic coast (sites around the Gulf of

Gdansk and the Vistula Lagoon) as well as for the Western part (sites in the Pomeranian Bay).


54

Annex B – Overview of designation of Natura 2000 sites

Natura 2000 site name

EU-code site

number

Designated as PSCI (year)

Revised PSCI

(year)

SCI appointed

(year)

SAC appointed

(year)

Total area

(km2)

Reef area mapped (km2)


DK00VA261 2009 2010 2016 319.10 138


DK008X190 1995 1998 2005 2011 807.20 119.90

Flensborg Fjord DK00VA254 1995 2003 2005 2011 649.22 51.70

All the above mentioned Natura 2000 sites are also designated as HELCOM marine protected areas.


55

Annex C – TAC’s and Fishing opportunities for 2016

The Natura 2000 site “Adler Grund and Rønne Banke” is located in the Danish EEZ of the western Baltic

Sea, ICES subdivisions 22-24.

In this area, the Member States given in the table below have fishing opportunities, according to Council

Regulation (EC) No. 2072/2015, fixing for 2016 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups

of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea, TACs applicable to union vessels in areas where TACs exist by

species and by area are listed.

The table below gives an overview of the total allowable catches (2014) in the western part of the Baltic

Sea (subdivisions 22-24), see footnote for further explanation.

TAC (2016)

MS HER* COD* PLE** SAL** SPR**

Denmark 3.683 5.552 2.890 19.879 19.958

Germany 14.496 2.715 321 2.212 12.644

Finland 2 109 24.787 10.447

Poland 3.419 1.486 605 6.030 59.399

Sweden 4.674 1.978 218 26.870 38.582

Estonia 123 2.020 23.175

Latvia 459 12.644 27.990

Lithuania 298 1.486 10.125

*) subdivision 22-24

**) subdivision 22-32

HER: herring, Clupea harengus COD: cod, Gadus morhua PLE: plaice, Pleuronectes platessa SAL: salmon, Salmo salar SPR: sprat, Sprattus sprattus


56

Annex D – Overview of the 11 information items in the Commission

guidelines from 2008

The table below gives an overview of how the present proposal has covered the 11 information items of

the Commission’s guidelines from 200834 concerning development of proposals for fisheries management

measures in marine Natura 2000 within the scope of the CFP.

Section

1. Comprehensive description of the natural features including distribution

within the site

2.3.2, 5.1

2. Scientific rationale for the site´s selection in accordance with the

information provided in the Natura 2000 data form. Intrinsic value of

its features. Specific conservation objectives.

2.3

3. Basis for the spatial extent of the site boundary clearly justified in

terms of conservation objectives.

2.3

4. Threats to habitats and species from different types of fishing gear. List

of other human activities in the area that could damage the habitats.

2.3, 4.1

5. Fleet activity in the area and in the region, distribution of fleets (by

nation, gear and species), and information on target and by-catch

species, all over the last 3 years.

6.1

6. Annual trends in fisheries over the last 3 years. 6.2

7. Proposed fisheries management measures to maintain the habitats

features in favorable condition. Are they proportionate and

enforceable? Other conservation measures that apply to the area.

1.3, 3.1, 4, 5.2

8. Control measures envisaged by the Member State, possible ecological

and control buffer zones to ensure site protection and/or effective

control and monitoring measures.

6.4

9. Measures to monitor and assess the maintenance and/or recovery of

the features within the site.

6.4

10. Coordination with neighboring Member States as appropriate. 3.2

11. Evaluation of possible displacement of fishing effort and impact on new

areas.

6.3

34 Fisheries measures for marine Natura 2000 sites – a consistent approach to requests for fisheries management measures under the Common Fisheries Policy: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/marine/docs/fish_measures.pdf



57

Annex E – Scientific advice regarding protection of reef structures

through buffer zones

Protection of stone reefs (habitat code H1170) and bubbling reefs (habitat code H1180)

For protection of stone reefs and bubbling reefs (habitat code H1170 and H1180) different protection

measures can be implemented. DTU Aqua has in relation to the present proposal provided scientific advice

to the Danish AgriFish Agency with regard to protection of reef structures.

DTU Aqua has analyzed fishing activity in and around the concerned Natura 2000 sites using VMS data

from Danish fishing vessels (vessels => 12m in length in 2012, vessels>=15 m in length in 2008-2011)

for the period 2008-2012. Based on these analyses, DTU Aqua has advised upon the need for the

protection of habitat code H1170 and H1180 against any unintended impact from mobile bottom contacting

fishing gear, and that a safety zone (buffer zone) should be implemented around the mapped reef

structures.

The safety zone is calculated by taking water depth, warp length and the length of the fishing gear into

account. The standard warp length used by trawlers in the concerned Natura 2000 sites is three times the

water depth, when water depth is less than 200 meter.

Water depth around the marine habitats (H1170 and H 1180) varies from 30 – 40 meters depth in the

Kattegat area where the concerned Natura 2000 sites are located. DTU Aqua has advised the Danish

AgriFish Agency to use the proportion 4:1 + length of the gear + 1 times the water depth for safety. This

method has resulted in a buffer zone of 240 meters around the mapped reef structures – code H1170.

DTU Aqua has furthermore advised that for bubbling reefs (habitat code H1180) usage of any other gear

type ought to be prohibited if full protection of this reef type is wanted.

The method of safety zones (buffer zones) is in line with the advice by ICES to a NEAFC request of the

appropriateness of buffer zones (ICES Advice 2013, Book, 1.5.5.2. Special request, Advice June 2013).

ICES Advice June 2013 is attached below.


58


59


60

Annex F - Overview of formal consultations

Since the initiative for protection reef structures in Natura 2000 sites was launched in spring 2011, formal

and informal consultations have been held with various stakeholders. The table below lists the meetings

held in relation to the present proposal.

Date Meeting Participants

9 May 2016 Pre-consultation meeting DK (chair), DE, SE, PL

23 May 2016 Consultation with Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum

and Advisory Councils

National stakeholders (fishery and

green NGO’s), BSAC and NSAC

22 June 0216 1. Meeting ad hoc working group DK (chair), DE, SE, PL

5 July 2016 Consultation with DG MARE and DG ENVI Marta Janakakisz, Fotios Papoulias,

Marita Arvela

25 August 2016 2. Meeting ad hoc working group DK (chair), DE, SE, PL, BE

14 September

2016

3. Meeting ad hoc working group DK (chair), DE, SE, PL


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Annex G - Summary of outcome of the regional coordination process

with Member States and the European Commission

A) Outcome of meetings in the established ad hoc working group

Meetings were held on the following dates:

- 22 June 2016

- 25 August 2016 - 14 September 2016

Minutes of these meetings are given below.

Pre-consultation meeting 9 May 2016 with representatives from the Swedish, German and

Polish environmental and fishery authorities

On 9 May 2016, the Danish AgriFish Agency and Danish Nature Agency presented proposals for fisheries management

measures with the aim of ensuring adequate protection of stone and bubbling reefs located in the Kattegat and the

Western Baltic Sea. All Member States with fishing rights in the Baltic Sea and North Sea as well as the European

Commission had been invited to the pre-consultation meeting.

Prior to the pre-consultation meeting, draft proposals were sent to the relevant Member States and the Commission as

well as national stakeholders and the Advisory Councils for the Baltic and North Sea, respectively.

Summary of outcome of the pre-consultation meeting

1. Introduction: Natura 2000 and designation of sites Denmark has designated 97 marine Natura 2000 sites, which equals approximately 18 pct. of Denmark’s territorial waters. A significant number of these have been designated for protection of reef structures (65 in total). In Denmark, the Danish Nature Agency is the responsible authority for the designation of Natura 2000 sites, formulation of management plans and conservation objectives as well as mapping the marine habitats.

In Denmark, the Natura 2000 sites have been designated over a period of time between 2004 and 2010, thus Denmark

operates with two ‘plan periods’. Necessary actions must be taken before 2016 for sites designated before 2010 and

before 2020 for the sites enlarged and/or designated in 2010.

The Danish AgriFish Agency is the responsible authority in Denmark for taking the necessary actions in relation to

fishery in order to ensure that fishing activities do not negatively affect the marine habitats and species for which the

site has been designated. The provisions of the Habitat Directives was included in the Fishery Act in 2008.

The Danish AgriFish Agency initiated the work of protection of reefs in spring 2011 with focus on 14 Natura 2000 sites.

Regulation of those sites are now regulated in EU law in form of a delegated act 2015/1778 and the national order

1048/2013.

The current proposals cover protection of reef structures in 7 Danish Natura 2000 sites. One site in the Kattegat (“Kim’s

Top”) as well as sites located in the North Sea will follow later in 2016/2017.

Since all sites (7 in total) in the proposals are located where other Member States have fishing opportunities, regional

coordination is required, before the proposals can be send to the Commission in the form of joint recommendations by

the Member States with direct management interests.

2. Proposed fisheries management measures Short introduction

The two Danish proposals aim at protecting reef structures located in the Kattegat and the Western Baltic Sea. Denmark

proposes to protect reef structures (H1170 and H1180) from fishery with mobile bottom contacting gears. Areas mapped

as bubbling reefs will be protected from all fishing activities. To ensure adequate protection from mobile bottom

contacting gears, a buffer zone of 240 meter will be placed around the mapped reef structures.


62

The size of the buffer zone is based on scientific advice from the Danish Technical University, Institute of Aquatic

Ressources and ICES. The size of the buffer zone depends on water depth and wire length, and is calculated as 6 x

water depth, which for the Kattegat and the Western Baltic Sea is approximately 40 meter.

The proposed fisheries management measures include protection of 7 Natura 2000 sites35 located in the Kattegat (4

sites) and the Western Baltic Sea (3 sites). Three sites are located in the EEZ (outside 12 nautical miles), where the

remaining 4 sites are located in the 3 to 12 nautical mile zone.

The 7 Natura 2000 sites have been designated for the protection of reefs. Some sites have also been designated for

sandbanks, harbor porpoises and seabirds. The proposed fisheries management measures, at this stage, only include

protection of the mapped reef structures within the sites. At a later stage it will be assessed whether management

measures are needed for the other marine habitats and species once on-going projects on bycatch rates etc. have been

finalized by 2017. Sites with already mapped sandbanks will be revisited.

Prior to the pre-consultation meeting, the Danish AgriFish Agency has presented the proposed fisheries management

measures to national stakeholders including NGO’s. National stakeholders and the Advisory Councils (BSAC and NSAC)

have been invited for a meeting on 23 May 2016. The next meeting with concerned Member States and the Commission

will take place on 22 June 2016.

Sweden, Germany and Poland attended the meeting. United Kingdom, Belgium and France had, prior to the pre-

consultation meeting, communicated that they will not participate in the regional coordination process, however, they all

wish to follow the ongoing process towards reaching joint recommendations ‘on the side’.

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland did not participate in the pre-consultation meeting. Communication is on-going

between Denmark and these Member States in relation to the Danish proposals.

Natura 2000 in Denmark: Formulation of management plans and mapping

The Danish Nature Agency informed about the process of mapping the Natura 2000 sites designated for reefs. In 2016,

detailed mapping of the remaining Danish Natura 2000 sites designated for the protection of reefs (primarily in the

North Sea) will be available. Different techniques, as described in detail in the two proposals, are used. For one site, the

site called “Centrale Storebælt” two different mapping techniques with different resolution have been used to map the

marine habitats. Conflict between fishery with mobile bottom contacting gear and areas mapped as reefs is seen for part

of the area. The so-called conflict area has been mapped with a low resolution technique, thus the area is not proposed

closed for fishing since it cannot be documented for sure that reefs are present here.

Scientific advice

DTU Aqua explained the scientific rationale behind the buffer zone and how the formula has been developed. The size of

the buffer zone is dependent on water depth and trawl wire length. The buffer zone must have a size large enough to

ensure that the trawl does not enter the area when the vessel is turning. In both proposals (e.g. Kattegat and the

western Baltic) an average water depth of 40 meters are used, which gives buffer zones of min. 240 meter (6 x water

depth). ICES has given advice on the same method.

3. Outcome of the pre-consultation held on 9 May 2016 After a presentation of the proposed fisheries management measures, the floor was open for questions and discussion.

Copies of the presentations given are attached.

Scrutiny of the two proposals will take place in the up-coming meeting in the ad hoc working group (22 June 2016).

The discussion can be centered around the following information topics:

1. Data analyses and availability and study reserve 2. Scrutiny of the two proposals 3. Holistic approach and protection of species and MFSD obligations 4. Control and enforcement – usage of AIS 5. Formation of the ad hoc working group

35 In the Kattegat: “Store Middelgrund” (EU site code: DK00VA250), ”Schultz, Hastens Grund samt Briseis Flak” (EU site code: DK00VA303), ”Strandenge på Læsø og havet syd herfor” (EU site code: DK00FX010) and ”Havet omkring Nordre Rønner” (EU site code: DK00FX257). In the Western Baltic Sea: ”Centrale Storebælt og Vresen” (EU site code: DK008X1901), ”Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als” (EU site code: DK00VA254) and ”Adler Grund og Rønne Banke” (EU site code: DK00VA261).


63

1) Analysis of fishery data is a great challenge in these regional coordination processes. Several Member States are yet to forward their fishery data.

Sweden has forwarded data in the right format and for the whole data period of 2011-2014. Germany has forwarded

data for the period 2011-2012 with no VMS positions attached. At the meeting, the Danish AgriFish Agency

requested for supplementary fishery data from Germany and Poland.

It was agreed that Germany will forward all the required fisheries data as soon as possible. Germany therefore has a

study reserve in relation to their fishery data and how fishery in relation to German vessels are presented in the

draft proposal.

For the site “Flensborg Fjord” the German authorities also need to consult their local fishery organization in the area.

Poland has forwarded data for an area called “D7” which partly is located inside the “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”.

Poland will scrutiny the proposals and assess whether more fisheries data is to be included in the proposals.

However, data for D7 will most likely be sufficient for Poland.

Estonian data has also been received, and further dialogue is needed in order to assess whether the dataset is

complete. Before the next meeting, this uncertainty will be discussed with the Estonian fisheries authorities.

It is up to the Member State to decide on the data presented for their respective fishery activity is adequately

addressed.

The 6 month time line does not commence until all fishery data from the involved Member States has been made

available and/or the Member State officially communicates to the Danish AgriFish Agency that they will abstain or

will support the joint recommendations without actively taking part in the regional coordination process.

2) The Danish AgriFish Agency invited the participating member States to forward any comments to the presented proposals in due time before the next meeting, which will be the first meeting in the established ad hoc working group.

On a more general note, it were agreed that the Danish proposals should be supplemented with maps showing other Member States Natura 2000 sites, which are in direct or located closely to the Danish sites. Sweden and Germany were on that basis requested to, as soon as possible, forward relevant ‘shape-files’.

It was also agreed that for those sites – Sweden and Germany will forward a short description of the Natura 2000

sites including a few lines on how far the Member State is with formulation of necessary fisheries management

measures.

It was agreed, that any comments and editorial changes to the two proposals should be forwarded to the

Danish AgriFish Agency by the 31th May 2016 at the latest.

3) The Danish proposal is solely focusing on protection of reef structures, yet several sites have also been designated for sandbanks, harbour porpoise and seabirds.

Sweden was interested in discussing the eco-system based approach and the linkages to the MFSD provisions. The

Danish approach is a thematic approach whereby the habitat types most vulnerable to fishery are protected first.

This process was launched in 2011 and focuses on the 65 sites designated for reefs. The task therefore is quite

substantial. Protection of sandbanks in relation to fishery is not well documented, and was therefore not prioritized

as part of the task of ensuring adequate protection, also due to the low level of fishing activity taking place in and

around the sites.

Protection of reef structures in the 65 Natura 2000 site is an important contribution to Denmark’s effort to achieve

good environmental status by 2020 (MFSD).

4) Questions concerning control and enforcement of the proposed fishery management measures were in relation to

usage and/ or supplementing VMS data with AIS data, and how DK sees AIS data being used as a control measure.

Analysis of VMS data indicate that there is no or very limited fishing activity in the areas mapped as reefs. The

enforcement of the coming fishery management measures in relation to protection of reefs will be part of the sea


64

going fisheries inspection and will be followed 24/7 by the Danish FMC in Kolding. In some cases AIS data might be

used to supplement VMS data, however, DK sees AIS as a safety measure, which in general should not be coupled to

fishery control.

5) The present participants agreed to appoint representative to the ad hoc working group, which is to finalize the

proposals and draft a joint recommendation. Both Sweden, Germany and Poland were interested in being present in

the ad hoc working group. It was agreed, that one working group was enough. Future meeting dates were agreed

upon to be:

1. Meeting in the established ad hoc working group: 22nd June 2016 2. Meeting in the established ad hoc working group: 25th August 2016

The topics to be addressed in the ad hoc work meetings will, besides discussion of the management measures and

fisheries data, also include orientation by each Member State of their national formal process in regards to the

Danish proposals.

Future step/ up-coming regional coordination process

The Danish AgriFish shortly outlined the expected timeframe for finalizing the proposals and submitting them, together

with the joint recommendations to the European Commission. The proposals are expected to be finalized in autumn

2016, and will thereafter be submitted to the European Commission - hopefully by the end of 2016.

National process with stakeholders and AC’s

On 23 May 2016 national stakeholders and the two Advisory Councils have been invited for a presentation of the two

proposals. At the next meeting in the ad hoc working group, the Danish AgriFish Agency will present the outcome of the

meeting with stakeholders and two AC’s.

Future proposals

Later in 2016, the Danish AgriFish Agency plans to commence the working of formulating fisheries management

measures for the Natura 2000 sites placed in the North Sea. Regional coordination process, however, will not be

launched before 2017.

List of participants: Pre-consultation 9 May 2016

Denmark:

Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark/ Danish Nature Agency: Marie-Louise Krawack

Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark / Department: Bertram Tobias Hacke

Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries/ Danish AgriFish Agency: Anja Gadgaard Boye, Elsbeth Teichert, Lone

Agathon Jensen, Jacob Handrup, Pernille Birkenborg Jensen

Danish Technical University/ Institute of Aquatic Ressources: Josefine Egekvist

Germany:

Thünen Institute, Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries: Christian von Dorrien

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Bruno Hoffstadt (last minute cancellation)

Sweden:

Ministry of Rural Affairs: Bjørn Åsgard

Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management: Malin Wilhelmsson, Lena Tingström


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Poland:

Ministry of Maritime Economy and inland waterways: Katarzyna Kaminska


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Minutes of the 1. meeting in the ad-hoc working group on the Danish proposals for fisheries

management measures in 7 Natura 2000 sites in the Kattegat and Baltic Sea

This was the first meeting held in the established ad-hoc working group which mainly focused on an in-depth scrutiny of

the Baltics Sea proposal text and discussion on fishery data.

The meeting took place at the Danish AgriFish Agency in Copenhagen on 22 June 2016.

1. Welcome by the Danish AgriFish Agency and tour de table Chair Anja Boye made an introduction and presentation of the agenda. Participants introduced themselves and

their organization (Annex 1 below).

The chair explained that the main focus of today’s meeting is a scrutiny of the proposal text, as agreed upon at

the pre-consultation meeting, and to discuss fishery data and availability and the challenge of lack of data.

Prior to this meeting, Sweden had sent comments, which have been circulated to the contact persons of the

established ad-hoc working group.

The chair pointed out that several Member States are not present in today’s meeting, thus there is a need to

discuss this further in the ad-hoc working group under the agenda item on fishery data and data availability.

The Danish AgriFish Agency has organized a meeting with the European Commission (DG MARE and DG ENVI)

on 5 July 2016 in Brussels. The outcome of this consultation will be circulated to the contact persons of the ad-

hoc working group.

2. Adoption of the agenda and outcome of the pre-consultation meeting The circulated agenda was adopted. The minutes of the pre-consultation meeting held on 9 May 2016 had been

circulated for commenting. Sweden had forwarded comments, which have been taken on-board.

The chair asked if there were more comments before the minutes can be adopted ? It was agreed that Sweden

would forward editorial comments and that the term ‘mobile bottom contacting gears and used in relation to

gears proposed banned and that the term ‘contact persons’ should be used in relation to the ad-hoc working

group, since participants may vary depending on topics to be discussed.

We realize it was not included in yesterday’s email – we apologize for this

The chair informed that the minutes of the pre-consultation meeting as well as from meetings in the ad hoc

working group will be given in Annex G of the proposals.

3. Scrutiny of the proposal text The chair proposed that a scrutiny of the proposal text be focused on the Baltic Sea proposal, since all Member

States have direct management interests in the site ‘Adler Grund and Rønne Banke’.

It was agreed that Sweden would forward comments to the Kattegat proposal as soon as possible (was received

the same day).

Summary of changes made to the Baltic Sea proposal (all changes are given in the proposal named ‘Third

version – July 2016’):

- Editorial changes

- Changes to section 1.3 on gear codes to be banned – there was a need to make it more clear which gear

types are to be banned (mobile gears was erased)

- Fishery sections (section 6 was not discussed since fishery data has not yet been forwarded/ analysed for all

Member States.

Sweden pointed out that according to earlier processes, it is important that each Member State can forward

proposals according to their national conditions and intentions, and that each process is not precedential to

upcoming processes. The group had a discussion on this and agreed.


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The Danish proposal solely address physical damage to reefs and bubbling reefs. These sites have also been

designated for other habitats and species, e.g. sandbanks, harbour porpoise and seabirds. The effect of

fishing activity on these habitats and species will be addressed at a later stage. The group discussed this and

agreed to developed Annex A so that this information is clearly described there, as are the state of play for all

Member States, since several sites a located in close vicinity of each other.

4. Discussion of fishery data and availability The chair gave a short introduction on state of play in relation to fishery data:

- SE has forwarded the necessary fishery data

- DE forwarded their fishery data yesterday and we will now compile the data and included it in the proposal

text

- PL has forwarded fishery for their ‘sub-squares’, which is the data form Poland uses and finds sufficient for

this process

- EE has forwarded fishery data for 2010-2012

- Other MS: no fishery data has been received

It was agreed between the participating Member States that fishery data should be updated with 2015 data,

whereby the data period will be 2011-2015.

2015 fishery data is to be forwarded to the Danish AgriFish Agency by 13 July 2016.

There was a discussion on how to handle lack of data. The chair informed that the Danish AgriFish Agency has

requested DTU Aqua for an analysis of VMS and landing data forwarded by Member States, when they carry out

fishing activity in the Danish EEZ. Poland also highlighted this possibility of data analysis.

The analysis will be done at Member State level and will be used in further dialogue with the Member States,

which has not yet taken part in the regional coordination process (the analyses is attached since it has been

finalized already). Lack of fishery data will also be discussed with the Commission.

The possibility of abstaining is perhaps a way of addressing this challenge. This issue also can be forwarded as

an issue to the High Level Groups.

5. Outcome of meeting with national stakeholders and Advisory Councils held on 23 May 2016 (draft

outcome attached)

The chair informed of the outcome of the consultation with national stakeholders and the Advisory Councils for

the Baltic Sea and North Sea, respectively. A copy of the draft minutes were circulated prior to today’s meeting.

The outcome can be summarized to the following:

Green NGOs: full protection at site level, combine closure in relation to H1180 for the site ‘Havet

omkring Nordre Rønner’, combine protection of reef structures with sandbanks and harbour porpoise,

and apply a more holistic approach to MPA management and fishery regulation

BSAC: welcomes and supports the Danish initiatives

NSAC: welcomes the Danish initiative. The NSAC raised several general questions regarding rationale,

scientific basis in support, protection of sandbanks vs. reefs

Danish Fishermen PO: welcomes the Danish initiative, and informed the forum that the organization

has been involved in the process of placing buffer zones. DFPO acknowledges the need for fishery

management measures and supports the thematic approach and site specific measures, rather than

total closure at site level.

Elsbeth Teichert gave a short introduction to how Denmark involves stakeholders in these regional coordination

processes, including the AC’s. The overall framework for the dialogue is the adopted ToR for the technical

expert groups and our national Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum.


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The main framework is that Member States with direct management interests are the adopting parties whereas

stakeholders, including the AC’s are involved parties on an overall basis of transparency. The AC’s however,

must be consulted.

6. Discussion of future process and meeting dates

- 6 month deadline: what is required in relation to data and information?

It was agreed that this topic is to be discussed at the next meeting, since fishery data is still to be updated.

- 2. meeting is scheduled for 25 August 2016: topics are fishery data and finalization of proposal text

Future process: Two more meeting dates in September and October:

- 14 September 2016 (Agree on fishery section – discussion on formal processes in MS)

- 12 October 2016 (Final meeting in ad hoc working group – formal agreement by BALTFISH and

fishery directors

7. AOB. The meeting was closed.

-----------------------------------

Annex 1 List of participants: 1 meeting in the ad hoc working group

Denmark

Marie-Louise Krawack (Danish Nature Agency)

Elsbeth Teichert and Anja Boye (Danish AgriFish Agency)

Sweden

Lena Tingström and Malin Wilhelmsson (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water management)

Germany

Christian von Dorrien (Von Thünen Institute)

Poland

Katarzyna Kaminska (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Fisheries Department/ Operational Unit

Michael Makowski (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Fisheries Department/Fishery Monitoring Centre Poland)

Tomasz Owczarek (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Fisheries Department/ Operational Unit)

--------------

European Commission

The Danish AgriFish Agency will meet with the European Commission (DG ENVI and DG MARE) on 5 July 2016 in Brussels.


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This was the second meeting held in the established ad-hoc working group which mainly focused on an in-depth scrutiny

of the Baltics Sea proposal text and discussion on fishery data.

The meeting took place at the Danish AgriFish Agency in Copenhagen on 25 August 2016.

1. Welcome by the Danish AgriFish Agency and tour de table

Chair Anja Boye made an introduction and presentation of the agenda. Participants introduced themselves and

their organization (Annex 1).

The chair explained that the main focus of today’s meeting is a scrutiny of the proposal text as well as a

discussion of fishery data, which has been updated with 2015 data. Also, the outcome of the meeting with the

European Commission will be given and discussed. The European Commission will not participate in today’s

meeting.

The chair pointed out that several Member States are not present in today’s meeting, however, Finland and

Estonia have formally communicated that they support the Danish proposal for fisheries management measures

in the Baltic Sea. Denmark will in the up-coming BALTFISH meeting give a state of play in relation to the Baltic

Sea proposal and of the need for consensus from all Member States for the joint recommendation to be

forwarded to the European Commission.

2. Adoption of the agenda and outcome of the 1. meeting in the ad hoc working group The circulated agenda was adopted. The minutes of the 1. meeting in the ad hoc working group held on 22 June

2016 had been circulated for commenting. Poland and Sweden have forwarded comments, which have been

taken on-board.

The minutes were adopted without further changes.

The chair informed that the minutes of the pre-consultation meeting as well as from meetings in the ad hoc

working group will be given in Annex G of the two proposals. When the fourth draft is circulated, this annex will

be attached in a separate word file.

3. Outcome of dialogue with the European Commission (DG ENVI and DG MARE)

On 5 July 2016, Elsbeth Teichert and Anja Boye met with the European Commission. From DG MARE, Marta

Janakakisz participated, where Fotios Papoulias and Marita Arvela participated from DG ENVI.

The chair gave the following summary of the meeting held. DG ENVI communicated they are in the process of

formalizing how MS’s proposals are scrutinized. DG ENVI has requested their consultants to assess the Danish

proposals – outcome of this consultation is attached to the minutes alongside DK’s reply.

DG ENVI’s comments can be summarized to the following:

- The comments focused primarily on article 6 provisions

- Adequate description of fishing activity from smaller vessels < 12 meters,

- Habitat sensitivity and impact from different fishing gears

rationale for not prohibiting static gears on habitat type H 1170 (stone reef),

- Expected effects of the proposed measures, as fishing intensity is relatively low, how the proposed measures

support other initiative as DK’s combined effort to improve the conservation status for reef structures in

Danish waters.

- DG ENVI also questioned the lack of site specific conservation objectives

DG MARE’s comments were centred around impact from fishing along side impact from other activities, control

and enforcement and the


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legal framework of forwarding a joint recommendation and involvement of STECF.

Based on this consultation, the draft proposals have been edited and it is now clear that the Danish initiative to

protect reef structures seeks to fulfil the provisions of Art. 6(1) and 6(2). A new section, section 6.4.3 has been

drafted to describe in more detail the expected effects of the proposed measure. The ad hoc group agreed to

this new section and text.

Also, text on rationale for not prohibiting gillnet fishery in H1170 has been added in section 4 as has a section

on effects of closure of fishing. The texts is based on scientific advice from DTU Aqua:

“Several studies have focused on habitat sensitivity in relation to fishery and different gear types. Majority of

studies have found low sensitivity between gillnet fishery and stone reef structures”.

“There are very few studies of boulder reefs and the associated effects of closure of bottom contacting fishery

in Northern European waters. Most studies on boulder reefs have focused on the effects of closure of fishing

with passive gears and angling on target species populations. Studies by Howarth et al. (2015) do provide some

evidence from UK waters (Lamlash Bay) on benefits to benthic communities as well as fish populations from

exclusion of fisheries including bottom trawling and scallop dredging, as well as trap and creel fishing. This

study shows appositive effect on fish and marine organisms”.

The meeting discussed the outcome of the consultation and the DG ENVI’s wish to harmonize the scrutiny of

MS’s proposals for fisheries management measures, and the role of consultants in the implementation of the

Common Fisheries Policy.

The meeting agreed that the proposal will not benefit from including a sensitivity matrix, since there is clear

evidence of this activity having low, if no, impact on stone reefs.

4. Final scrutiny of the proposal text

The chair proposed that a scrutiny of the proposal text be focused on the Baltic Sea proposal, since all Member

States have direct management interests in the site ‘Adler Grund and Rønne Banke’.

It was agreed that any changes made to the Baltic Sea proposal would be transferred to the Kattegat proposal.

Editorial comments to the Kattegat proposal was discussed after A.O.B.

Summary of changes made to the Baltic Sea proposal (all changes are given in the proposal named ‘Fourth

version 2016’):

- Editorial changes made – however, no substantial changes was made.

- It was agreed to remove listing of gear types in section 1.3 ‘Recommendations to be implemented’, since

these are given in the table below.

- Fishery sections and related annexes have been updated with 2015 fishery data. There was an agreement to maps, tables and figures, except for text in section 6.2 on German fishing activity

in the site ‘Storebælt og Vresen’. This section has been updated in the Fourth version of the draft proposal.

- Discussion on how to display buffer zone coordinates. It was agreed

Summary of changes made to the Kattegat proposal (all changes are given in the proposal named ‘Fourth

version 2016’):

- Same editorial changes as above for the Baltic Sea proposal.

- Fishery sections and related annexes have been updated with 2015 data. There was an agreement to maps,

tables and figures except for map 6b showing VMS positions for German fishing activity on ‘Store

Middelgrund’, where VMS points need to be swapped. This map has been updated and map corrected in the Fourth version of the draft proposal.

5. Discussion of fishery data


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The chair gave a short introduction on state of play in relation to fishery data. Sweden, Poland and Germany

have all forwarded 2015 fishery data. Germany has also updated with 2013 and 2014 data. Estonia has

forwarded fishery data for 2010-2012.

The meeting agreed that sufficient information is available – also in relation to fishery data. Germany agreed in

the meeting, whereas Poland and Sweden have forwarded their reply by email after the meeting.

To display fishing activity in and around the site ‘Adler Grund og Rønnebanke’ – the analyses carried out by

DTU Aqua displayed in VMS maps, will be included in Annex K, whereby fishing activity for all Baltic Sea

Member States for vessels above 12 meters will be given.

Poland requested for additional time to check the section on Polish fishery data. Poland has subsequently

communicated that all data is correctly displayed and that additional VMS positions will not be forwarded. The

above mentioned analyses is sufficient, also in relation to Polish activity.

6. Draft Joint Recommendation – discussion of form and format

The chair explained the circulated draft joint recommendation (Baltic Sea proposal) in relation to the previous

regional coordination process chaired by Denmark, and that of the Swedish proposal for Bratten MPA.

Elsbeth Teichert explained how DG MARE is positive terms has welcomed the previous joint recommendation as

containing the necessary data for elaborating a delegated act, which means they request for all explanations

and background information to be given in the proposal/ background document.

The only changes made were a correction of section 2 ‘Recommendations to be implemented’, since it is a

direct copy of section 1.3 in the proposal text.

It was agreed that the draft joint recommendation also should be named with a date to be able to track

different versions.

There were no further changes made to the draft besides correcting the date of the evaluation of the control

model, which is summer 2018.

7. Discussion of future process and meeting dates The next meeting (3. meeting in the ad hoc working group) is scheduled for 14 September 2016. The overall

aim of this meeting is to agree to the proposal and joint recommendation at a technical level prior to formal

agreement by respective fisheries directors/ ministers.

In case there is a need, the 4. meeting will be held on 27 October 2016. Kindly note the new date.

STECF meets on 24 October 2016, which is believed to be too soon for the Baltic Sea proposal, since sufficient

time must be given for the formal approval process in each Member State.

Denmark will assess whether the Kattegat proposal can meet this deadline – however, it depends on the formal

approval process in Germany and Sweden. It is not yet official when STECF will meet in 2017, however, once

the formal approval has been given by all Member States, the proposals will be forwarded to the European

Commission, by BALTFISH for the Baltic Sea proposal and by Denmark accompanied by signed letters by the

Fisheries Directors from Sweden and Germany for the Kattegat proposal.

It is however unclear to the member States whether STECF can be consulted in a written procedure outside the

fixed meeting dates. This could be helpful to meet the 6 month deadline obligation for the Member States and

the 3 month obligation for the European Commission after receiving a joint recommendation.

There was a short discussion of how these proposals are approved and the proposal forward to the European

Commission as a joint recommendation. The agreed terms of References (attached to the minutes) has a

specific section on the formal approval process.

8. AOB.

Germany raised the question of ensuring adequate protection of harbour porpoise, since some of the sites

concerned are also designated for harbour porpoise. The chair informed of the on-going process of collection of

bycatch data. Several initiative have been launched to fill the knowledge gap. In July a large scale bycatch

project was funded by EMFF to fill the data gap of bycatch in Danish gillnet fishery. Hopefully in 2 years time,


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DK will be able to provide a national estimate of bycatch of harbour porpoise. DK pursues a thematic approach,

whereby know threats are removed first – e.g. mobile bottom trawling on reef structures.

The meeting was closed at 4 pm.

---------------------

Annex 1 List of participants: 2 meeting in the ad hoc working group

Denmark

Marie-Louise Krawack (The Danish Agency for Water and Nature Management)

Elsbeth Teichert and Anja Boye (Danish AgriFish Agency)

Josefine Egekvist (DTU Aqua)

Sweden

Lena Tingström (Swedish Agency for Marine and Water management)

Germany

Bruno Hoffstadt (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture)

Christian von Dorrien (Von Thünen Institute)

Poland

Marta Szulfer and Pawel Tazarski (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Fisheries Department)

--------------

Belgium

Jesse Verhalle, Belgian


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This was the third meeting held in the established ad-hoc working group which mainly focused on finalizing the proposal

texts and agreeing on the fishery data as well as the wording of the draft Joint Recommendations.

The meeting took place at the Danish AgriFish Agency in Copenhagen on 14 September 2016.

1. Welcome by the Danish AgriFish Agency and tour de table

Chair Anja Boye made an introduction and presentation of the agenda. Participants introduced themselves and

their organization (Annex 1).

The chair explained that the main aim of todays’ meeting is to reach a positive confirmation from Sweden,

Germany and Poland on the two Danish proposals for fisheries management measures and associated Joint

Recommendations, and commence the 6 months period.

The chair pointed out that several Member States are not present in today’s meeting, however, Finland, Latvia,

Lithuania and Estonia have formally communicated that they support the Danish proposal for fisheries

management measures in the Baltic Sea. The Commission have communicated that they cannot participate in

today’s meeting. DG ENVI has forwarded some written comments from their consultants evaluation of the two

proposals (attached). Under agenda item 3, the chair will present the comments received and how DK foresees

these points handled.

The chair informed further, that the next STECF meeting will take place on the 25 October 2016. Deadline for

submitting the joint recommendations to the Commission is 6 October 2016. This timeframe will be difficult to

comply with, however, if possible it should be pursued, since the next STECF meeting is scheduled to take place

in April 2017.

However, the Danish AgriFish Agency intends to forward the proposals and Joint Recommendations as soon as

possible. The Commission will then have a 3 months deadline to treat the documents. It was agreed, that if the

joint recommendation are submitted later than 6 October 2016 a pragmatic solution must be found together

with the Commission since the STECF consultation is not an explicit part of the CFP Basic regulation.

2. Adoption of the agenda and the minutes of the 2. meeting in the ad hoc working group

The circulated agenda was adopted. The minutes of the 2. meeting in the ad hoc working group held on the 25

August 2016 had been circulated for commenting prior to today’s meeting. There were no comments to the

minutes. The minutes were adopted without further changes, and will be incorporated in Annex G.

The chair informed that until a final agreement in the ad hoc working group has been reached, the minutes

from meetings in the ad hoc working group will be kept in a separate word document.

The chair informed that the Commission has forwarded some further comments, drafted by DG ENV

consultants, which is yet to be assessed. Since these comments first were received on the 13 September, the

comments have not been forwarded to the meeting participants. A short excerpt of the main points was

distributed at the meeting. The whole document will be circulated with the minutes.

Since the Commission is not participating in the meeting, the Danish AgriFish Agency has requested for a

bilateral meeting for a further elaboration of the received comments.

3. Final scrutiny of the proposal text

Sweden has forwarded comments prior to the meeting. All comments have been taken onboard except for the

comment in section 4. Sweden has subsequently communicated that there is no need for further changes to

this section on proportionality.

The Commission has forwarded a range of questions, which need to be discussed and addressed in the proposal

text if possible.

The chair shortly went through the comments forwarded by DG ENVI:

- Question fishery data from smaller vessels


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- How DK will reach the conservations goals with the proposed measures

- Other sectors and how this proposal in collaboration with other initiatives will ensure favorable

conservation status is reached

- Impact on H1170 from static gear

- Salinity and its role in relation to impact

The chair informed, that the Commission has approved an identical set of management measures for 10 Danish

sites, which has been adopted in a delegated act. However, DK will propose some additional wording in several

sections and circulate it for approval. The majority of the raised questions have already been addressed in the

fourth draft proposals.

General discussion on involvement of the Commission and the role of consultants in these evaluations

processes. It was agreed that it was preferred that the Commission in case of comments and/ or questions took

active part in the meetings in the ad hoc working groups.

3.1. Baltic Sea proposal

Minor editorial changes were made during the meeting.

The Swedish representative mentioned that there is a risk for pelagic gear (trawls) to contact the sea bottom,

at low water depths. The Danish AgriFish Agency does not foresee this as an actual threat, since the average

water depth in the sites is estimated to approximately 40 meters.

The German representative mentioned, that DK perhaps should include the results from the SAMBAH project,

concerning the population of harbor porpoises in the Baltic region in relation to bycatch.

The chair mentioned, that the SAMABAH project solely looked at population estimates. Bycatch was not

assessed nor monitored. It was agreed to include a foot note on the outcome of the SAMBAH project in section

2.3.1. The Danish AgriFish Agency, however, intends to develop a national strategy for the protection of harbor

porpoises in Danish water by 2020. Baltic Sea fishermen have been consulted through the advisory council for

the Baltic Sea.

3.2. Kattegat proposal

Minor editorial changes were made during the meeting. All the comments forwarded by Sweden were taken

onboard except for the proposed changes for section 4. Sweden has subsequently communicated that there is

no need for further changes to this section on proportionality.

Germany requested for a discussion on the linkage between the proposal and Annex II of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and size of buffer zones. DTU Aqua and ICES have given scientific advice on buffer zones. The size of buffer zones used in the present proposal is larger than the ICES advice. The Danish approach is that MSFD is supplementary to Natura 2000 and in the Kattegat area is targeting the deep muddy sea bottom.

3.3. Confirmation of sufficient information and launching of 6 months deadline

It was agreed, that there was sufficient information to commence the 6 months period. Hence the proposal

should be forwarded in the form of a joint recommendation to the Commission by March 2017.

It was agreed, that the final editorial corrections will be made, including minor changes related to the

comments forwarded DG ENV´s. The final versions of both proposals will be circulated to the MS as soon as

possible and a deadline of one week will be given for final approval of new text.

4. Discussion of draft Joint Recommendations – discussion of content

Draft Joint Recommendations had been forwarded the meeting participants prior the meeting. Sweden has sent

remarks to the Joint Recommendations. To streamline with the delegated act recently published, there is a

need to change “Fisheries Management Measures” changed to ”Fisheries Conservation Measures”. This change

was accepted.


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The chair informed, that there was a minor difference between the layout of the two documents. In the Joint

Recommendation covering the sites in the Baltic Sea, banned gear types are solely given in the table where a

different layout is used for the Kattegat Joint Recommendation. Here banned gear types are listed in both text

and in table. This difference is merely to point out, that there are different gear types to be banned in different

part of the sites in the Kattegat and not in the sites in the Baltic Sea, where only mobile bottom contacting gear

types are banned.

Germany had no concerns with this difference.

5. Discussion of formal procedures in each Member State

The chair informed that DK need to be informed of the timeline for formal approval in the different MS.

The chair informed that the Danish AgriFish will launch the formal approval process very soon – a process

which involves Parliament.

The Polish representatives informed that the formal procedure involves an approval form the Minister for

Fisheries. This process is estimated to take 2 weeks.

The German representative informed that the proposals have to be formally approved by the Fisheries and

Nature Directors- a process estimated to take 2 weeks.

The Swedish representative could not currently provide an exact time frame for the Swedish process.

6. Discussion of future process and meeting dates

It was discussed whether there is a need for a fourth meeting in the ad hoc working group. It was agreed, that

the 27 October 2016, will be kept open as a tentative date, in case the need for further elaboration of the

proposals/joint recommendations arises.

The chair informed of the two formal processes, which the proposals will go through. Once there is a formal

agreement among the involved MS, the Danish AgriFish Agency will forward the Baltic Sea proposal and joint

recommendation to the BALTFISH Presidency.

The Kattegat proposal will be forwarded to the Commission by DK – however, it needs to be accompanied by

signed letters from Sweden and Germany at Fishery Director level.

7. AOB.

The meeting was closed at 3.15 pm.

-------------------------

Annex 1 List of participants: 3. meeting in the ad hoc working group

Denmark

Anja Boye (chair), Elsbeth Teichert and Pernille Jensen (ref.) (The Danish AgriFish Agency)

Sweden

Mattias Sköld (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)

Germany

Bruno Hoffstadt (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture)

Poland

Marta Szulfer and Katarzyna Kaminska (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Fisheries Department)


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B) Outcome of consultations with the European Commission The European Commission has not actively taken part in meetings in the ad hoc working group. Correspondence has therefore been through emails and one bilateral meeting. A bilateral meeting with the European Commission was held on 5 July 2016. DG ENVI and DG MARE participated in this meeting.

DK explained the rationale and proposed measures, how the measured will be controlled and the expected outcome of proposed measures. DG MARE requested for better linkages between the proposed measures and regulation of other sectors, since it is important to highlight that not only fishery will be regulated. Comments from DG ENVI (also outlined in the written comments forwarded on 8 July 2016 were centered around the following topics:

- Text on site specific conservation objectives and when these will be developed

- Risk assessment for habitat H 1170 – stone reef - Explanation on how the proposed measures will contribute to the overall objective of favorable

conservation status for targeted habitats – specifically the expected effects - Relation between proposed measures and regulation of other sectors in the task of achieving

favorable conservation status - Activity for smaller vessels

DK presented the outcome of this consultation to the ad hoc working group in the August meeting. Several text amendments had been made to take the comments from the Commission on-board, see minutes from this ad hoc working group meeting for further information. Text has been added to section 3, section 4 and section 6. In section 6, a specific section on expected effects has been developed, section 6.4.3.

DG ENVI on 13 September 2016 forwarded further comments, which were be centered around the

following topics: - explanation on how the proposed measures will contribute to the improvement of conservation

status of the targeted habitats

- relationship between proposed measures and other non-fishery related pressures on the protected

features

- impact on H1170 from fishery and rationale for not proposing fisheries management measures

- Activity for smaller vessels <12 m

- Update links to the management plans

DK presented the outcome of this consultation to the ad hoc working group in the September meeting. Several text amendments had been made to take the comments from the Commission on-board, see minutes from this ad hoc working group meeting for further information. Further text has been added to section 3, section 4 and section 6.


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Annex H - Summary of outcome of consultation with the Natura 2000

Dialogue Forum and Advisory Councils for the North Sea and Baltic Sea,

respectively

Minutes from meeting with national stakeholders (Natura 2000 Dialogue Forum) and Advisory

Councils for the Baltic and North Sea - 23 May 2016

The Danish AgriFish Agency had invited stakeholders to a consultation of the two Danish proposals for

fisheries management measures in 7 Natura 2000 sites currently being discussed with Member States with

direct management interests. The two proposals were forwarded prior to the meeting (8 April 2016) for

commenting. Deadline for forwarding comments was 31 May 2016.

List of attendees is given in annex 1. Prior to the consultation meeting, OCEANA had forwarded written

comments -given in annex 2. The Danish Fishermen Association PO, has given their comments in the

process of designing the buffer zones and coordinates.

The Danish AgriFish presented the proposed fisheries management measures for the 4 N2000 sites in the

Kattegat; “Store Middelgrund”, “Schultz, Hastens Grund samt Briseis Flak”, “Strandenge på Læsø og havet

syd herfor” and “Havet omkring Nordre Rønner” – and for the 3 N2000 sites in the Danish part of the

western Baltic Sea; “Centrale Storebælt og Vresen”, “Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring

Als” and “Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”.

The proposed management measures were presented and the rationale explained; a ban for mobile bottom

contacting gears in areas mapped as reef structures (H1170) and in 240 meters surrounding buffer zone –

and a total ban for all commercial fisheries near bubbling reefs (H1180). Analysis of fishing activity based

on the forwarded fishery data from Member States shows that fisheries – Danish vessels or other Member

States’ vessels, does not take place in the areas mapped as reef structures, which will be restricted for

fisheries. The extent of displacement is therefore minimal.

The Danish Nature Agency supplemented with a presentation of the designation of the sites, the

formulation of management plans and actions to be taken in the sites, the mapping exercise and finally the

national monitoring programme (NOVANA).

A summary of the comments received in relation to the two proposals is given below.

The BSAC representative reported that none of the 25 BSAC members had specific comments to the

Danish proposals, but all welcomed the Danish initiative.

The NSAC representative took notice of the fact that if fisheries does not occur in the sites, then how

will Denmark secure environmental favourable conditions in the areas by imposing fishing restrictions. The

scientific rationale for this is not clear. Neither is the legal framework for this.

Further the proposed prohibited gear types should be categorized in light and heavy gear types – e.g.

Scottish seines should be considered as a light gear type and not necessarily be prohibited.

The Danish Fisheries Association PO: agreed to the obligation of protection of reef structures and the

method used with site specific regulation, although there should be given special attention to fisheries from

smaller vessels, e.g. Flensborg Fjord. Further fisheries data should be given for a longer period of time

instead of only 4 years, which is not sufficient. The Danish AgriFish Agency should take notice of any

potentially future fisheries opportunities, e.g. fishery for sandeel in new areas.

DFPO pointed out, that although there´s a lack of species/macro algae, it is not necessarily a problem

caused by fishery. The high content of nutrients in the water column could also be the reason.


78

The NGO´s (OCEANA and WWF): OCEANA had prior the meeting forwarded comments to the two

proposals (annex 2). Both OCEANA and WWF welcomes the Danish initiative and stress the importance of

adequate protection of areas the reef structures. However, the Danish approach is unambitious and instead

of a site specific management which only leads to fragmented protection from fisheries. More coherent

protection zones and a holistic and ecosystem based approach would provide more protection (and

restoring) of the habitat and species located near it.

Further when sandbanks have been mapped in the sites, this habitat type should also be protected from

fisheries and not wait on processes in other countries (e.g. Dogger Bank), Annex A lists OCEANAs

comments.

After the meeting, the Danish Agrifish Agency has received comments from WWF. The forwarded

comments support the written comments given by OCEANA and the comments presented at the meeting.

WWF requests for the zone protecting bubbling reefs in the site ‘Nordre Rønner’ to be combined and for a

more holitic approach to MPA management to be followed.

Comments from the Danish AgriFish Agency and the Danish Nature Agency: The two agencies

welcomed the comments. The NSAC has several comments, which were not solely directed to the Danish

proposals. Thus, it was agreed that a separate answer would be given to the more principal questions

raised. Regarding rationale and scientific evidence, scientific evidence is clear in relation to reef structures

and gear types. Same is not given for sandbanks. The Danish proposals should also been seen in relation

to future fishing activities, whereby the proposed measures will guarantee protection. Other threats are

also being addressed by other agencies, e.g. extraction of gravel and sand, construction work etc.

The proposed measures should been seen together with other initiatives as Denmark’s contribution to

achieving good environmental status in our waters. The Danish approach focuses on reef protection, since

this habitat type is the most vulnerable habitat type in relation to fishery. Once more studies have been

done on sandbanks, it will be assessed whether there is a need for further protection. Impact from fishery

on sandbank is less clear, and before fisheries management measures can be proposed, more information

is needed.

The agencies took notice of the request from the green NGO’s to combine some of the buffer zones in the

site “Strandenge på Læsø og havet syd herfor”.

Further process in relation to comments received regarding the Danish proposals for fisheries

management measures for protection of reef structures designated under the habitats

directives

The Danish AgriFish Agency and the Danish Nature Agency has discussed the comments received and finds

no need for substantial editorial changes. The proposed fisheries management measures aim at ensuring

adequate protection of reef structures designated under the Habitats Directive. This initiative will

contribute to a better environmental status in the Danish waters. The designated reef structures will be

protected in their full extent, also if the reef structures go beyond the boundaries of the Natura 2000 site.

The rationale behind this is given in section 4. There is no rationale for protecting the entire site/full

closure, if reef structures are not present. Proposed measures must comply with the proportionality

principle so that they do not go any further than necessary to ensure the needed protection of the mapped

reef within the framework of the habitats directive. The aim of Article 6 (2,3) is to find the balance

between protection of marine habitats and species and management of fishing activities. Also assessing the

precautionary principles.

The Danish AgriFish Agency has been focusing on protection of reef structures since 2011, due to a urgent

need for actions to be taken. With 65 Natura 2000 sites designated for reef structures, this a large task to

finalize. Sandbanks will be protected when there is scientific advice on the protection needs of the habitat


79

type. There is an ambition of launching the work of formulating necessary fisheries management measures

in 2017. The outcome of the EU funded ‘Benthis project’ is expected to be an important input in this work.

Annex 1

List of participants:

BSAC: Sally Clink NSAC: Peter Breckling

OCEANA: Hanna Paulomaki

WWF Denmark: Mette Blæsbjerg Danish Fishermen Association PO: Henrik Lund Bælternes Fiskeriforening: Allan Buch DTU Aqua: Thomas Kirk Sørensen

The Danish Nature Agency: Marie-Louise Krawack Fishery Control Unit, AgriFish Agency: Jacob Handrup Center for Fishery, AgriFish Agency: Bjørn Wirlander, Anja Gadgård Boye, Elsbeth

Teichert & Pernille B. Jensen

The following organizations/ representatives could not participate NSAC: Henrike Semmeler Danish Nature Conservation Association: Bo Håkonsson


80

Annex I – Buffer zones and coordinates

“Adler Grund og Rønne Banke”

Habitat No. H261, Natura 2000 site No. 252 (EU Code: DK00VA261)

Map showing positions of buffer zones around

stone reefs (H1170)

Coordinates of the buffer zone which forms the protection of stone reefs:

Reef no. Latitude Longitude

1 54 50.2' N 14 22.77' E

1 54 49.91' N 14 22.5' E

1 54 49.461' N 14 21.831' E

1 54 49.673' N 14 21.203' E

1 54 49.637' N 14 21.172' E

1 54 49.229' N 14 21.434' E

1 54 49.075' N 14 21.385' E

1 54 48.736' N 14 21.821' E

1 54 48.324' N 14 21.197' E

1 54 48.321' N 14 19.268' E

1 54 48.368' N 14 17.09' E

1 54 48.233' N 14 16.306' E

1 54 48.262' N 14 14.382' E

1 54 47.997' N 14 12.93' E

1 54 48.802' N 14 9.888' E

1 54 58.281' N 14 36.49' E

1 54 56.959' N 14 34.793' E

1 54 56.816' N 14 35.056' E

1 54 50.283' N 14 26.605' E

1 54 50.368' N 14 25.991' E

1 54 50.479' N 14 25.724' E

1 54 50.586' N 14 25.711' E

1 54 50.655' N 14 25.222' E

1 54 50.573' N 14 25.081' E

1 54 50.599' N 14 24.788' E

1 54 50.704' N 14 24.373' E

1 54 50.553' N 14 24.025' E

1 54 50.576' N 14 23.71' E

1 54 50.735' N 14 23.591' E

1 54 50.778' N 14 23.43' E

1 54 50.898' N 14 23.263' E

1 54 51.248' N 14 22.848' E

1 54 51.607' N 14 23.248' E

1 54 51.733' N 14 22.857' E

1 54 51.174' N 14 22.625' E

1 54 50.784' N 14 22.19' E

1 54 50.561' N 14 22.625' E

1 54 51.407' N 14 22.412' E

1 54 54.127' N 14 21.359' E

1 54 48.802' N 14 9.888' E

1 54 50.52' N 14 12.125' E

1 54 49.028' N 14 13.925' E

1 54 50.832' N 14 16.266' E

1 54 50.608' N 14 16.808' E

1 54 59.354' N 14 31.369' E

1 54 54.3' N 14 22.661' E

1 54 53.976' N 14 23.554' E

1 54 55.143' N 14 25.105' E

1 54 55.013' N 14 26.378' E

1 54 55.131' N 14 26.576' E

1 54 55.316' N 14 28.098' E

1 54 48.623' N 14 10.252' E

1 54 56.264' N 14 28.778' E

1 54 57.603' N 14 30.03' E

1 54 58.146' N 14 28.954' E

1 54 59.569' N 14 30.82' E

1 54 59.918' N 14 32.115' E

1 55 0.553' N 14 30.644' E

1 54 59.771' N 14 29.605' E

1 55 0.053' N 14 29.042' E

1 55 0.334' N 14 29.386' E

DRAFT - Proposal for fisheries management measures in Danish Natura 2000 sites in the Western Baltic Sea

81

1 55 0.578' N 14 28.837' E

1 55 0.968' N 14 29.355' E

1 55 0.734' N 14 29.839' E

1 55 1.266' N 14 30.639' E

1 55 1.34' N 14 31.374' E

1 55 0.065' N 14 33.739' E

1 54 59.72' N 14 33.79' E

1 54 59.485' N 14 34.193' E

1 54 59.594' N 14 35.129' E

1 54 58.875' N 14 36.417' E

2 54 56.989' N 14 20.483' E

2 54 56.775' N 14 21.031' E

2 54 55.97' N 14 20.005' E

2 54 55.208' N 14 19.918' E

2 54 54.614' N 14 19.139' E

2 54 54.842' N 14 18.629' E

2 54 55.423' N 14 19.358' E

2 54 56.232' N 14 19.534' E

2 54 56.989' N 14 20.483' E

3 54 59.065' N 14 26.817' E

3 54 57.764' N 14 25.132' E

3 54 57.984' N 14 24.458' E

3 54 57.971' N 14 23.479' E

3 54 57.233' N 14 22.515' E

3 54 57.285' N 14 22.001' E

3 54 57.922' N 14 21.922' E

3 54 58.045' N 14 21.993' E

3 54 58.098' N 14 22.314' E

3 54 57.983' N 14 22.684' E

3 54 58.736' N 14 23.659' E

3 54 58.606' N 14 24.422' E

3 54 58.706' N 14 24.611' E

3 54 58.485' N 14 25.145' E

3 54 59.305' N 14 26.211' E

3 54 59.065' N 14 26.817' E


82

“Centrale Storebælt og Vresen”

Habitat No. H100, Natura 2000 site No. 116 (EU Code: DK008X190)

Map on right showing positions of buffer zones

around stone reefs (H1170). Red stripe indicate

corridor in which fisheries activities will be

allowed, see further in section 5.1.2.

Coordinates of the buffer zone which form the

protection of the stone reefs:


1 55 25.438' N 11 1.989' E

1 55 25.601' N 11 3.28' E

1 55 24.903' N 11 3.559' E

1 55 24.649' N 11 2.88' E

1 55 24.439' N 11 2.217' E

1 55 25.119' N 11 1.706' E

1 55 25.438' N 11 1.989' E

1 55 24.619' N 11 1.854' E

2 55 25.419' N 11 5.434' E

2 55 25.184' N 11 5.534' E

2 55 24.902' N 11 5.54' E

2 55 24.783' N 11 5.26' E

2 55 24.819' N 11 5.086' E

2 55 24.67' N 11 4.593' E

2 55 24.659' N 11 4.042' E

2 55 24.939' N 11 3.703' E

2 55 25.256' N 11 4.045' E

2 55 25.252' N 11 4.428' E

2 55 25.625' N 11 4.901' E

2 55 25.625' N 11 4.901' E

3 55 23.089' N 11 0.437' E

3 55 23.314' N 11 0.64' E

3 55 23.276' N 11 1.024' E

3 55 22.98' N 11 1.046' E

3 55 22.965' N 11 0.658' E

3 55 23.257' N 11 0.451' E

3 55 23.314' N 11 0.64' E

4 55 22.624' N 11 0.355' E

4 55 22.359' N 11 0.259' E

4 55 22.176' N 10 59.661' E

4 55 22.279' N 10 59.321' E

4 55 22.479' N 10 59.184' E

4 55 22.78' N 10 59.978' E

4 55 22.479' N 10 59.184' E

5 55 22.187' N 11 6.828' E

5 55 23.241' N 11 5.892' E

5 55 23.232' N 11 6.815' E

5 55 22.211' N 11 6.834' E

5 55 22.792' N 11 6.766' E

5 55 22.499' N 11 7.033' E

5 55 22.154' N 11 6.932' E

5 55 22.139' N 11 6.882' E

5 55 22.162' N 11 6.84' E

5 55 22.232' N 11 6.814' E

5 55 22.227' N 11 6.789' E

5 55 22.195' N 11 6.762' E

5 55 22.107' N 11 6.651' E

5 55 22.049' N 11 6.583' E

5 55 21.901' N 11 6.091' E

5 55 21.759' N 11 5.742' E

5 55 21.822' N 11 4.958' E

5 55 21.98' N 11 4.822' E

5 55 22.383' N 11 5.326' E

5 55 22.671' N 11 5.463' E

5 55 22.87' N 11 5.831' E

5 55 23.241' N 11 5.892' E

6 55 23.116' N 11 4.313' E

6 55 23.116' N 11 5.023' E

6 55 22.97' N 11 5.376' E

6 55 22.783' N 11 5.465' E

6 55 22.4' N 11 5.251' E

6 55 22.211' N 11 4.987' E

6 55 22.085' N 11 4.631' E

6 55 21.815' N 11 3.811' E

6 55 21.865' N 11 3.393' E

6 55 21.955' N 11 3.286' E

6 55 22.125' N 11 3.286' E

6 55 22.426' N 11 3.522' E


83

6 55 22.771' N 11 3.846' E

6 55 23.116' N 11 4.313' E

6 55 22.56' N 11 5.372' E

7 55 20.632' N 11 6.389' E

7 55 20.646' N 11 6.342' E

7 55 20.638' N 11 6.342' E

7 55 20.616' N 11 6.469' E

7 55 20.514' N 11 6.85' E

7 55 20.61' N 11 6.83' E

7 55 20.627' N 11 6.794' E

7 55 20.613' N 11 6.506' E

7 55 20.682' N 11 6.403' E

7 55 20.525' N 11 6.027' E

7 55 20.225' N 11 5.564' E

7 55 20.103' N 11 5.659' E

7 55 20.028' N 11 5.906' E

7 55 20.223' N 11 6.516' E

7 55 20.682' N 11 6.403' E

7 55 20.68' N 11 6.641' E

7 55 20.651' N 11 6.771' E

7 55 20.633' N 11 6.767' E

7 55 20.62' N 11 6.51' E

7 55 20.336' N 11 5.695' E

7 55 20.635' N 11 6.49' E

7 55 20.639' N 11 6.446' E

7 55 20.63' N 11 6.436' E

7 55 20.647' N 11 6.362' E

8 55 21.056' N 10 56.562' E

8 55 21.92' N 10 59.68' E

8 55 22.028' N 10 59.909' E

8 55 22.219' N 11 0.087' E

8 55 20.379' N 10 58.507' E

8 55 20.421' N 10 58.837' E

8 55 20.49' N 10 59.106' E

8 55 20.537' N 10 59.268' E

8 55 20.506' N 10 59.374' E

8 55 20.444' N 10 59.385' E

8 55 20.72' N 11 0.843' E

8 55 20.951' N 11 1.385' E

8 55 21.374' N 11 1.777' E

8 55 22.182' N 11 2.048' E

8 55 22.637' N 11 1.948' E

8 55 22.807' N 11 1.442' E

8 55 22.535' N 11 0.65' E

8 55 22.219' N 11 0.087' E

8 55 19.712' N 10 59.605' E

8 55 20.707' N 10 55.772' E

8 55 20.044' N 10 55.351' E

8 55 19.074' N 10 55.587' E

8 55 19.01' N 10 55.724' E

8 55 18.926' N 10 57.284' E

8 55 18.978' N 10 59.081' E

8 55 20.044' N 10 59.317' E

8 55 19.963' N 10 59.031' E

8 55 19.878' N 10 58.604' E

8 55 19.765' N 10 58.204' E

8 55 19.669' N 10 57.572' E

8 55 19.673' N 10 57.297' E

8 55 19.475' N 10 56.801' E

8 55 19.53' N 10 56.681' E

8 55 19.683' N 10 57.012' E

8 55 19.784' N 10 57.181' E

8 55 19.882' N 10 57.508' E

8 55 20.129' N 10 57.805' E

8 55 20.382' N 10 58.341' E

10 55 19.539' N 11 7.846' E

10 55 19.464' N 11 8.143' E

10 55 19.348' N 11 8.54' E

10 55 19.237' N 11 8.9' E

10 55 19.249' N 11 8.982' E

10 55 19.134' N 11 9.283' E

10 55 19.063' N 11 9.396' E

10 55 18.886' N 11 9.591' E

10 55 18.843' N 11 9.67' E

10 55 18.724' N 11 9.841' E

10 55 17.958' N 11 8.211' E

10 55 17.881' N 11 8.862' E

10 55 17.714' N 11 9.281' E

10 55 17.648' N 11 9.861' E

10 55 17.477' N 11 10.315' E

10 55 17.239' N 11 10.827' E

10 55 17.114' N 11 11.133' E

10 55 16.854' N 11 11.197' E

10 55 16.766' N 11 11.324' E

10 55 16.53' N 11 11.452' E

10 55 16.095' N 11 12.308' E

10 55 16.08' N 11 12.453' E

10 55 16.169' N 11 12.654' E

10 55 16.161' N 11 12.723' E

10 55 16.033' N 11 12.904' E

10 55 16.007' N 11 13.144' E

10 55 16.543' N 11 13.644' E

10 55 16.902' N 11 13.73' E

10 55 17.096' N 11 13.51' E

10 55 17.076' N 11 13.064' E

10 55 17.545' N 11 13.235' E

10 55 17.587' N 11 13.017' E

10 55 17.673' N 11 12.6' E

10 55 17.845' N 11 12.322' E

10 55 17.929' N 11 12.155' E

10 55 18.036' N 11 11.762' E

10 55 18.08' N 11 11.607' E

10 55 18.129' N 11 11.477' E

10 55 18.265' N 11 11.005' E

10 55 18.326' N 11 10.851' E

10 55 18.315' N 11 10.591' E

10 55 18.361' N 11 10.416' E

10 55 18.527' N 11 10.156' E

10 55 18.616' N 11 10.002' E

10 55 17.988' N 11 11.987' E

10 55 19.539' N 11 7.846' E

10 55 19.847' N 11 6.941' E


84

10 55 19.653' N 11 5.987' E

10 55 19.486' N 11 5.827' E

10 55 19.338' N 11 5.889' E

10 55 19.032' N 11 6.271' E

10 55 18.7' N 11 6.298' E

10 55 18.633' N 11 6.171' E

10 55 18.155' N 11 6.263' E

10 55 18.056' N 11 6.409' E

10 55 17.965' N 11 6.661' E

10 55 17.843' N 11 6.743' E

10 55 17.755' N 11 6.86' E

10 55 17.682' N 11 7.066' E

10 55 17.682' N 11 7.356' E

10 55 17.736' N 11 7.553' E

10 55 17.835' N 11 7.591' E

10 55 17.937' N 11 7.587' E

12 55 13.037' N 10 54.564' E

12 55 13.099' N 10 54.201' E

12 55 12.975' N 10 53.846' E

12 55 12.738' N 10 53.308' E

12 55 12.528' N 10 54.474' E

12 55 12.431' N 10 52.92' E

12 55 12.291' N 10 52.964' E

12 55 12.204' N 10 53.563' E

12 55 13.099' N 10 54.201' E

12 55 12.27' N 10 54.034' E

12 55 12.934' N 10 54.608' E

13 55 12.001' N 10 52.671' E

13 55 11.988' N 10 54.097' E

13 55 11.946' N 10 54.239' E

13 55 11.675' N 10 54.439' E

13 55 11.172' N 10 54.336' E

13 55 11.088' N 10 54.182' E

13 55 11.241' N 10 53.372' E

13 55 11.541' N 10 53.384' E

13 55 11.584' N 10 52.825' E

13 55 11.107' N 10 52.819' E

13 55 10.944' N 10 53.173' E

13 55 10.431' N 10 53.477' E

13 55 10.324' N 10 53.338' E

13 55 10.304' N 10 52.808' E

13 55 10.069' N 10 52.688' E

13 55 9.994' N 10 52.053' E

13 55 10.484' N 10 51.781' E

13 55 10.689' N 10 51.872' E

13 55 11.711' N 10 51.901' E

13 55 12.001' N 10 52.671' E

13 55 9.919' N 10 52.511' E

14 55 8.442' N 10 53.135' E

14 55 7.312' N 10 53.026' E

14 55 7.339' N 10 52.24' E

14 55 6.665' N 10 52.011' E

14 55 6.458' N 10 51.873' E

14 55 6.425' N 10 51.644' E

14 55 6.49' N 10 51.431' E

14 55 7.913' N 10 51.552' E

14 55 8.542' N 10 51.629' E

14 55 8.762' N 10 51.987' E

14 55 8.754' N 10 52.343' E

14 55 8.442' N 10 53.135' E

15 55 23.281' N 10 45.868' E

15 55 23.438' N 10 46.899' E

15 55 22.436' N 10 48.264' E

15 55 21.686' N 10 48.96' E

15 55 21.508' N 10 50.307' E

15 55 20.441' N 10 51.066' E

15 55 20.104' N 10 51.73' E

15 55 19.095' N 10 52.473' E

15 55 18.718' N 10 52.328' E

15 55 18.642' N 10 51.7' E

15 55 18.91' N 10 51.124' E

15 55 19.513' N 10 50.867' E

15 55 19.65' N 10 49.615' E

15 55 19.861' N 10 48.606' E

15 55 20.471' N 10 48.321' E

15 55 21.046' N 10 47.795' E

15 55 21.568' N 10 47.536' E

15 55 22.25' N 10 46.695' E

15 55 22.534' N 10 46.353' E

15 55 22.816' N 10 46.344' E

15 55 22.948' N 10 46.253' E

15 55 23.281' N 10 45.868' E

16 55 17.047' N 10 49.155' E

16 55 16.79' N 10 48.307' E

16 55 15.961' N 10 50.277' E

16 55 15.729' N 10 50.6' E

16 55 15.396' N 10 50.281' E

16 55 15.076' N 10 49.59' E

16 55 14.69' N 10 49.923' E

16 55 14.26' N 10 49.912' E

16 55 13.484' N 10 49.512' E

16 55 13.171' N 10 49.238' E

16 55 13.008' N 10 48.759' E

16 55 13.052' N 10 48.589' E

16 55 13.187' N 10 48.565' E

16 55 13.412' N 10 48.691' E

16 55 13.514' N 10 48.719' E

16 55 13.598' N 10 48.78' E

16 55 13.696' N 10 48.876' E

16 55 13.756' N 10 48.89' E

16 55 13.844' N 10 48.866' E

16 55 13.876' N 10 48.941' E

16 55 14.054' N 10 48.763' E

16 55 14.243' N 10 48.657' E

16 55 14.308' N 10 48.555' E

16 55 14.365' N 10 48.506' E

16 55 14.61' N 10 48.945' E

16 55 15.371' N 10 49.001' E

16 55 15.408' N 10 48.532' E

16 55 15.772' N 10 47.882' E

16 55 16.2' N 10 47.656' E

16 55 16.614' N 10 47.216' E


85

16 55 16.75' N 10 47.263' E

16 55 17.035' N 10 47.428' E

16 55 17.137' N 10 47.465' E

16 55 17.217' N 10 47.533' E

16 55 17.277' N 10 47.53' E

16 55 17.317' N 10 47.474' E

16 55 17.563' N 10 47.673' E

16 55 17.654' N 10 48.554' E

16 55 17.615' N 10 49.147' E

16 55 17.27' N 10 49.375' E

16 55 17.047' N 10 49.155' E

17 55 15.901' N 10 53.294' E

17 55 15.897' N 10 53.739' E

17 55 16.516' N 10 54.748' E

17 55 17.165' N 10 55.712' E

17 55 17.195' N 10 56.657' E

17 55 17.043' N 10 57.42' E

17 55 16.717' N 10 57.427' E

17 55 16.223' N 10 56.627' E

17 55 15.216' N 10 55.738' E

17 55 14.488' N 10 55.598' E

17 55 14.255' N 10 55.435' E

17 55 13.955' N 10 54.872' E

17 55 14.014' N 10 54.435' E

17 55 14.277' N 10 54.294' E

17 55 14.315' N 10 53.183' E

17 55 14.404' N 10 52.716' E

17 55 15.081' N 10 52.435' E

17 55 15.504' N 10 52.472' E

17 55 15.901' N 10 53.294' E

18 55 19.153' N 11 1.41' E

18 55 19.153' N 11 1.405' E

18 55 18.706' N 11 1.361' E

18 55 18.556' N 11 1.38' E

18 55 18.54' N 11 1.382' E

18 55 18.407' N 10 59.519' E

18 55 18.083' N 10 58.811' E

18 55 17.231' N 10 57.913' E

18 55 17.31' N 10 56.894' E

18 55 17.792' N 10 55.498' E

18 55 17.345' N 10 55.539' E

18 55 17.204' N 10 55.094' E

18 55 16.45' N 10 54.649' E

18 55 16.272' N 10 54.307' E

18 55 16.034' N 10 53.54' E

18 55 16.043' N 10 53.107' E

18 55 16.312' N 10 52.573' E

18 55 16.321' N 10 51.505' E

18 55 16.48' N 10 50.971' E

18 55 16.719' N 10 50.963' E

18 55 17.598' N 10 51.706' E

18 55 17.712' N 10 51.637' E

18 55 17.756' N 10 51.339' E

18 55 18.016' N 10 51.184' E

18 55 17.996' N 10 50.625' E

18 55 18.057' N 10 50.283' E

18 55 18.209' N 10 49.881' E

18 55 18.337' N 10 49.638' E

18 55 18.446' N 10 49.432' E

18 55 18.71' N 10 49.284' E

18 55 19.429' N 10 49.555' E

18 55 19.456' N 10 49.88' E

18 55 18.953' N 10 50.561' E

18 55 18.626' N 10 50.886' E

18 55 18.339' N 10 53.146' E

18 55 18.587' N 10 53.85' E

18 55 19.2' N 10 54.345' E

18 55 19.368' N 10 54.926' E

18 55 19.129' N 10 55.437' E

18 55 18.633' N 10 55.848' E

18 55 18.749' N 10 58.729' E

18 55 18.67' N 10 59.198' E

18 55 19.262' N 11 0.072' E

18 55 20.109' N 11 0.134' E

18 55 20.163' N 11 0.469' E

18 55 19.793' N 11 1.058' E

18 55 19.185' N 11 1.404' E

18 55 19.153' N 11 1.41' E

19 55 12.521' N 10 48.713' E

19 55 12.66' N 10 48.627' E

19 55 12.612' N 10 49.461' E

19 55 12.028' N 10 49.661' E

19 55 11.588' N 10 49.552' E

19 55 11.513' N 10 49.361' E

19 55 11.598' N 10 49.005' E

19 55 11.744' N 10 48.931' E

19 55 12.172' N 10 48.956' E

19 55 12.25' N 10 48.747' E

19 55 12.322' N 10 48.752' E

19 55 12.398' N 10 48.755' E

19 55 12.464' N 10 48.707' E

19 55 12.509' N 10 48.678' E

19 55 12.521' N 10 48.713' E

21 55 11.213' N 10 49.51' E

21 55 11.138' N 10 50.719' E

21 55 10.916' N 10 51.079' E

21 55 10.626' N 10 51.187' E

21 55 9.675' N 10 50.936' E

21 55 9.479' N 10 50.754' E

21 55 9.476' N 10 49.829' E

21 55 10.234' N 10 48.014' E

21 55 10.256' N 10 48.051' E

21 55 11.213' N 10 49.51' E

21 55 11.177' N 10 49.151' E

21 55 10.847' N 10 48.427' E

21 55 10.816' N 10 48.379' E

21 55 10.719' N 10 48.362' E

21 55 10.669' N 10 48.285' E

21 55 10.475' N 10 48.162' E

21 55 10.339' N 10 48.111' E

22 55 14.799' N 11 10.2' E

22 55 15.844' N 11 10.527' E


86

22 55 15.044' N 11 10.252' E

22 55 16.2' N 11 8.367' E

22 55 16.768' N 11 8.485' E

22 55 15.204' N 11 10.346' E

22 55 14.917' N 11 10.106' E

22 55 14.446' N 11 8.476' E

22 55 16.484' N 11 8.142' E

22 55 15.684' N 11 8.295' E

22 55 13.227' N 11 9.632' E

22 55 13.149' N 11 9.334' E

22 55 13.702' N 11 8.196' E

22 55 16.768' N 11 8.485' E

22 55 16.551' N 11 9.587' E

23 55 14.471' N 11 6.497' E

23 55 15.696' N 11 6.903' E

23 55 15.987' N 11 6.678' E

23 55 15.927' N 11 6.109' E

23 55 15.683' N 11 5.663' E

23 55 14.974' N 11 5.842' E

23 55 14.502' N 11 6.306' E

23 55 14.49' N 11 6.317' E

23 55 14.49' N 11 6.317' E

23 55 15.907' N 11 5.482' E

23 55 15.162' N 11 7.045' E

23 55 15.36' N 11 6.988' E

23 55 15.052' N 11 6.967' E

23 55 15.008' N 11 6.705' E

23 55 14.73' N 11 6.849' E

24 55 16.004' N 11 7.717' E

24 55 15.922' N 11 7.401' E

24 55 15.963' N 11 7.048' E

24 55 16.19' N 11 6.895' E

24 55 16.578' N 11 6.822' E

24 55 16.601' N 11 7.41' E

24 55 16.578' N 11 6.822' E

24 55 16.422' N 11 7.753' E

24 55 16.19' N 11 7.898' E

25 55 17.387' N 11 7.5' E

25 55 17.225' N 11 6.722' E

25 55 16.608' N 11 6.803' E

25 55 17.108' N 11 7.79' E

25 55 17.225' N 11 6.722' E

25 55 17.232' N 11 7.807' E

25 55 16.67' N 11 7.181' E

25 55 16.779' N 11 6.532' E

26 55 11.208' N 11 8.312' E

26 55 11.336' N 11 8.546' E

26 55 11.466' N 11 8.478' E

26 55 11.584' N 11 8.192' E

26 55 11.594' N 11 8.074' E

26 55 11.545' N 11 7.839' E

26 55 11.336' N 11 7.839' E

26 55 11.545' N 11 7.839' E

27 55 12.832' N 11 8.739' E

27 55 12.918' N 11 8.519' E

27 55 12.522' N 11 9.001' E

27 55 12.818' N 11 8.16' E

27 55 12.907' N 11 8.258' E

27 55 12.918' N 11 8.519' E

27 55 12.45' N 11 8.991' E

27 55 12.371' N 11 8.858' E

27 55 12.351' N 11 8.707' E

27 55 12.388' N 11 8.532' E

27 55 12.523' N 11 8.438' E

27 55 12.707' N 11 8.117' E

27 55 12.74' N 11 8.871' E

28 55 13.515' N 11 6.869' E

28 55 13.519' N 11 6.868' E

28 55 14.309' N 11 6.652' E

28 55 14.311' N 11 6.651' E

28 55 14.276' N 11 6.793' E

28 55 14.06' N 11 7.176' E

28 55 13.781' N 11 7.32' E

28 55 13.623' N 11 7.281' E

28 55 13.52' N 11 7.074' E

28 55 13.515' N 11 6.869' E

29 55 11.712' N 11 2.469' E

29 55 11.707' N 11 2.916' E

29 55 12.211' N 11 2.56' E

29 55 12.756' N 11 2.064' E

29 55 13.506' N 11 2.685' E

29 55 14.132' N 11 4.408' E

29 55 14.132' N 11 4.408' E

29 55 14.174' N 11 5.053' E

29 55 14.119' N 11 5.172' E

29 55 13.845' N 11 5.486' E

29 55 13.238' N 11 5.52' E

29 55 12.863' N 11 5.161' E

29 55 12.681' N 11 5.349' E

29 55 12.439' N 11 5.275' E

29 55 12.283' N 11 4.904' E

29 55 12.123' N 11 4.836' E

29 55 12.079' N 11 4.703' E

29 55 11.665' N 11 2.827' E

29 55 11.634' N 11 2.708' E

30 55 10.661' N 11 3.627' E

30 55 11.822' N 11 6.151' E

30 55 11.741' N 11 5.371' E

30 55 11.501' N 11 4.037' E

30 55 11.374' N 11 3.746' E

30 55 10.86' N 11 3.558' E

30 55 12.075' N 11 6.32' E

30 55 10.628' N 11 3.878' E

30 55 11.079' N 11 5.423' E

30 55 10.893' N 11 5.851' E

30 55 10.889' N 11 6.753' E

30 55 11.513' N 11 7.505' E

30 55 11.574' N 11 7.507' E

30 55 11.574' N 11 7.507' E

30 55 11.81' N 11 7.802' E

30 55 12.075' N 11 6.32' E

30 55 13.387' N 11 6.859' E


87

30 55 13.397' N 11 6.863' E

30 55 13.366' N 11 7.055' E

30 55 13.219' N 11 7.528' E

30 55 12.743' N 11 8.047' E

30 55 11.882' N 11 7.928' E

33 55 10.52' N 11 0.624' E

33 55 9.891' N 10 56.303' E

33 55 9.835' N 10 56.615' E

33 55 9.651' N 10 56.891' E

33 55 9.493' N 10 57.265' E

33 55 9.355' N 10 57.346' E

33 55 9.383' N 10 59.387' E

33 55 9.419' N 10 59.402' E

33 55 9.509' N 10 59.432' E

33 55 9.761' N 10 59.518' E

33 55 10.084' N 10 59.832' E

33 55 10.301' N 11 0.194' E

33 55 10.35' N 11 0.271' E

33 55 10.566' N 11 0.25' E

33 55 10.675' N 11 0.948' E

33 55 10.885' N 10 55.558' E

33 55 11.174' N 10 55.765' E

33 55 9.807' N 10 56.235' E

33 55 12.186' N 10 58.317' E

33 55 12.329' N 10 59.308' E

33 55 11.837' N 11 0.701' E

33 55 11.229' N 11 1.175' E

33 55 10.675' N 11 0.948' E

33 55 11.904' N 10 57.704' E

34 55 9.411' N 11 3.202' E

34 55 9.411' N 11 2.46' E

34 55 9.676' N 11 2.082' E

34 55 9.383' N 11 1.07' E

34 55 9.39' N 10 59.871' E

34 55 9.991' N 11 3.159' E

34 55 9.866' N 11 0.298' E

34 55 10.451' N 11 1.635' E

34 55 10.501' N 11 2.061' E

34 55 10.276' N 11 2.795' E

34 55 9.39' N 10 59.871' E

34 55 9.587' N 11 3.423' E

34 55 9.515' N 10 59.983' E

35 55 20.698' N 11 5.781' E

35 55 20.501' N 11 5.489' E

35 55 19.429' N 11 4.654' E

35 55 18.993' N 11 4.615' E

35 55 18.847' N 11 4.228' E

35 55 18.904' N 11 3.106' E

35 55 18.823' N 11 3.041' E

35 55 20.109' N 11 3.973' E

35 55 18.823' N 11 3.041' E

35 55 18.872' N 11 2.921' E

35 55 19.173' N 11 2.188' E

35 55 19.162' N 11 1.756' E

35 55 19.195' N 11 1.75' E

35 55 19.674' N 11 1.496' E

35 55 19.793' N 11 1.681' E

35 55 20.048' N 11 1.664' E

35 55 20.365' N 11 1.713' E

35 55 20.817' N 11 1.873' E

35 55 21.281' N 11 2.069' E

35 55 21.423' N 11 3.756' E

35 55 21.639' N 11 5.288' E

35 55 21.429' N 11 6.001' E

35 55 21.349' N 11 5.918' E

35 55 21.119' N 11 5.624' E

35 55 21.084' N 11 5.633' E

35 55 21.04' N 11 5.628' E

35 55 20.991' N 11 5.667' E

35 55 20.964' N 11 5.667' E

35 55 20.903' N 11 5.631' E

35 55 20.814' N 11 5.537' E

35 55 20.796' N 11 5.613' E

35 55 20.758' N 11 5.667' E

35 55 20.736' N 11 5.715' E

35 55 20.705' N 11 5.766' E


88

“Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als”

Habitat No. H173 and Bird protection area No. F64, Natura 2000 site No. 197 (EU Code:

DK00VA254)

Map showing positions of buffer zones around

stone reefs (H1170)

Coordinates of the buffer zone which form the

protection of the stone reefs:


2 54 53.509' N 9 46.189' E

2 54 53.686' N 9 45.822' E

2 54 54.227' N 9 46.743' E

2 54 54.056' N 9 47.246' E

2 54 53.788' N 9 47.19' E

2 54 53.647' N 9 47.665' E

2 54 53.175' N 9 47.547' E

2 54 53.239' N 9 47.288' E

2 54 53.509' N 9 46.189' E

3 54 53.037' N 9 44.738' E

3 54 53.034' N 9 45.098' E

3 54 52.581' N 9 45.493' E

3 54 52.313' N 9 45.144' E

3 54 52.304' N 9 44.662' E

3 54 52.405' N 9 44.49' E

3 54 52.551' N 9 44.514' E

3 54 52.701' N 9 44.481' E

3 54 52.814' N 9 44.46' E

3 54 53.037' N 9 44.738' E

4 54 52.09' N 9 44.886' E

4 54 52.164' N 9 45.97' E

4 54 51.927' N 9 46.449' E

4 54 51.774' N 9 46.719' E

4 54 51.576' N 9 47.24' E

4 54 51.49' N 9 47.397' E

4 54 51.374' N 9 47.565' E

4 54 51.319' N 9 47.574' E

4 54 51.201' N 9 47.734' E

4 54 51.167' N 9 47.772' E

4 54 51.161' N 9 47.917' E

4 54 51.148' N 9 47.979' E

4 54 51.117' N 9 48.044' E

4 54 51.086' N 9 48.079' E

4 54 50.948' N 9 48.13' E

4 54 50.939' N 9 48.149' E

4 54 50.918' N 9 48.175' E

4 54 50.899' N 9 48.193' E

4 54 50.665' N 9 48.391' E

4 54 50.612' N 9 48.374' E

4 54 50.572' N 9 48.345' E

4 54 50.541' N 9 48.294' E

4 54 50.525' N 9 48.24' E

4 54 50.5' N 9 48.096' E

4 54 50.498' N 9 48.028' E

4 54 50.436' N 9 47.909' E

4 54 50.351' N 9 47.861' E

4 54 50.318' N 9 47.83' E

4 54 50.254' N 9 47.679' E

4 54 50.242' N 9 47.609' E

4 54 50.24' N 9 47.551' E

4 54 50.22' N 9 47.443' E

4 54 50.217' N 9 47.377' E

4 54 50.24' N 9 47.234' E

4 54 50.252' N 9 46.969' E

4 54 50.147' N 9 46.907' E

4 54 50.04' N 9 45.967' E

4 54 50.07' N 9 46.089' E

4 54 50.099' N 9 46.164' E

4 54 50.13' N 9 46.21' E

4 54 50.107' N 9 46.381' E

4 54 50.073' N 9 46.522' E

4 54 50.067' N 9 46.599' E

4 54 50.091' N 9 46.783' E

4 54 50.106' N 9 46.841' E

4 54 50.809' N 9 45.451' E


89

4 54 52.09' N 9 44.886' E

4 54 51.914' N 9 44.953' E

4 54 51.734' N 9 45.508' E

4 54 51.178' N 9 45.611' E

4 54 51.02' N 9 45.725' E

4 54 50.937' N 9 45.662' E

4 54 50.384' N 9 45.183' E

4 54 50.22' N 9 44.71' E

4 54 50.184' N 9 44.392' E

4 54 50.116' N 9 44.377' E

4 54 50.005' N 9 44.45' E

4 54 49.964' N 9 44.515' E

4 54 49.94' N 9 44.607' E

4 54 49.878' N 9 44.654' E

4 54 49.846' N 9 44.705' E

4 54 49.83' N 9 44.805' E

4 54 49.822' N 9 44.904' E

4 54 49.825' N 9 45.043' E

4 54 49.852' N 9 45.167' E

4 54 49.865' N 9 45.205' E

4 54 49.871' N 9 45.252' E

4 54 49.892' N 9 45.332' E

4 54 49.934' N 9 45.38' E

4 54 49.961' N 9 45.44' E

4 54 49.964' N 9 45.496' E

4 54 50.005' N 9 45.698' E

4 54 50.044' N 9 45.778' E

4 54 50.033' N 9 45.902' E

5 54 50.845' N 9 52.297' E

5 54 50.789' N 9 52.249' E

5 54 50.763' N 9 52.206' E

5 54 50.688' N 9 51.99' E

5 54 50.617' N 9 51.601' E

5 54 50.586' N 9 51.244' E

5 54 50.584' N 9 51.162' E

5 54 50.605' N 9 51.077' E

5 54 50.393' N 9 49.586' E

5 54 50.428' N 9 49.548' E

5 54 50.46' N 9 49.534' E

5 54 50.526' N 9 49.535' E

5 54 51.514' N 9 52.659' E

5 54 50.579' N 9 49.494' E

5 54 50.641' N 9 49.416' E

5 54 50.691' N 9 49.392' E

5 54 50.747' N 9 49.373' E

5 54 50.79' N 9 49.384' E

5 54 50.872' N 9 49.45' E

5 54 51.007' N 9 49.483' E

5 54 51.087' N 9 49.459' E

5 54 51.131' N 9 49.47' E

5 54 51.444' N 9 49.704' E

5 54 50.934' N 9 52.32' E

5 54 51.04' N 9 53.093' E

5 54 51.025' N 9 52.244' E

5 54 51.032' N 9 52.311' E

5 54 51.062' N 9 52.402' E

5 54 51.005' N 9 52.497' E

5 54 50.894' N 9 52.324' E

5 54 50.989' N 9 52.601' E

5 54 51.013' N 9 52.736' E

5 54 51.014' N 9 52.844' E

5 54 51.046' N 9 52.971' E

5 54 50.657' N 9 50.869' E

5 54 51.035' N 9 53.181' E

5 54 51.029' N 9 53.316' E

5 54 50.967' N 9 53.368' E

5 54 50.922' N 9 53.438' E

5 54 50.905' N 9 53.538' E

5 54 50.908' N 9 53.676' E

5 54 50.941' N 9 53.838' E

5 54 51.073' N 9 54.04' E

5 54 51.25' N 9 54.301' E

5 54 51.306' N 9 54.332' E

5 54 51.437' N 9 54.369' E

5 54 51.514' N 9 54.368' E

5 54 51.587' N 9 54.283' E

5 54 51.836' N 9 53.012' E

5 54 51.504' N 9 52.282' E

5 54 51.685' N 9 51.909' E

5 54 51.717' N 9 51.767' E

5 54 51.723' N 9 51.672' E

5 54 51.706' N 9 51.266' E

5 54 51.706' N 9 51.022' E

5 54 51.78' N 9 50.774' E

5 54 51.785' N 9 50.697' E

5 54 51.701' N 9 50.123' E

5 54 51.444' N 9 49.704' E

5 54 50.635' N 9 50.794' E

5 54 50.595' N 9 50.791' E

5 54 50.529' N 9 50.837' E

5 54 50.476' N 9 50.852' E

5 54 50.419' N 9 50.825' E

5 54 50.389' N 9 50.781' E

5 54 50.655' N 9 50.993' E

5 54 50.36' N 9 50.71' E

5 54 50.287' N 9 50.123' E

5 54 50.257' N 9 49.953' E

5 54 50.256' N 9 49.87' E

5 54 50.284' N 9 49.791' E

5 54 50.344' N 9 49.677' E

6 54 52.192' N 9 52.057' E

6 54 52.385' N 9 51.526' E

6 54 52.418' N 9 51.25' E

6 54 52.605' N 9 51.175' E

6 54 52.831' N 9 51.596' E

6 54 52.771' N 9 51.344' E

6 54 52.831' N 9 52.061' E

6 54 52.781' N 9 52.12' E

6 54 52.633' N 9 52.041' E

6 54 52.574' N 9 52.131' E

6 54 52.531' N 9 52.233' E

6 54 52.473' N 9 52.344' E


90

6 54 52.458' N 9 52.374' E

6 54 52.4' N 9 52.49' E

6 54 52.351' N 9 52.422' E

6 54 52.831' N 9 51.596' E

7 54 49.116' N 9 59.562' E

7 54 49.249' N 10 0.171' E

7 54 48.776' N 10 1.256' E

7 54 48.341' N 10 0.994' E

7 54 48.233' N 10 0.716' E

7 54 48.374' N 10 0.189' E

7 54 48.326' N 9 59.517' E

7 54 48.492' N 9 59.239' E

7 54 49.116' N 9 59.562' E

8 54 49.795' N 10 2.926' E

8 54 50.228' N 10 1.616' E

8 54 50.578' N 10 1.454' E

8 54 50.739' N 10 2.384' E

8 54 50.739' N 10 2.384' E

8 54 50.732' N 10 2.688' E

8 54 50.698' N 10 2.829' E

8 54 50.726' N 10 2.92' E

8 54 50.737' N 10 3.069' E

8 54 50.735' N 10 3.119' E

8 54 50.728' N 10 3.159' E

8 54 50.718' N 10 3.191' E

8 54 50.621' N 10 3.418' E

8 54 50.509' N 10 3.489' E

8 54 50.374' N 10 4.141' E

8 54 50.263' N 10 4.464' E

8 54 49.533' N 10 4.343' E

8 54 49.779' N 10 5.347' E

8 54 49.611' N 10 5.838' E

8 54 48.625' N 10 5.639' E

8 54 47.05' N 10 5.375' E

8 54 46.423' N 10 4.986' E

8 54 46.235' N 10 4.119' E

8 54 47.75' N 10 3.306' E

8 54 48.324' N 10 3.243' E

8 54 49.298' N 10 3.069' E

9 54 52.544' N 10 5.93' E

9 54 52.37' N 10 6.044' E

9 54 52.276' N 10 5.981' E

9 54 52.209' N 10 5.668' E

9 54 52.018' N 10 5.799' E

9 54 51.298' N 10 6.441' E

9 54 50.892' N 10 6.316' E

9 54 53.11' N 10 4.169' E

9 54 53.11' N 10 4.169' E

9 54 53.021' N 10 4.203' E

9 54 52.869' N 10 4.209' E

9 54 52.754' N 10 4.272' E

9 54 52.639' N 10 4.306' E

9 54 52.478' N 10 4.046' E

9 54 50.684' N 10 5.541' E

9 54 52.404' N 10 3.875' E

9 54 52.457' N 10 2.816' E

9 54 52.5' N 10 2.223' E

9 54 52.473' N 10 1.892' E

9 54 53.22' N 10 4.134' E

9 54 52.302' N 10 1.138' E

9 54 52.091' N 10 1.159' E

9 54 51.775' N 10 2.023' E

9 54 51.808' N 10 2.257' E

9 54 51.686' N 10 2.487' E

9 54 51.606' N 10 2.445' E

9 54 51.531' N 10 2.457' E

9 54 51.461' N 10 2.309' E

9 54 51.233' N 10 1.892' E

9 54 51.146' N 10 1.847' E

9 54 51.08' N 10 1.889' E

9 54 51.024' N 10 2.022' E

9 54 50.978' N 10 2.192' E

9 54 50.935' N 10 2.372' E

9 54 50.899' N 10 2.613' E

9 54 50.861' N 10 2.786' E

9 54 50.862' N 10 2.989' E

9 54 50.941' N 10 3.225' E

9 54 50.87' N 10 3.465' E

9 54 50.869' N 10 3.699' E

9 54 50.834' N 10 3.776' E

9 54 50.77' N 10 3.821' E

9 54 50.712' N 10 3.916' E

9 54 50.692' N 10 3.999' E

9 54 53.233' N 10 4.607' E

9 54 53.196' N 10 4.721' E

9 54 52.901' N 10 4.936' E

9 54 52.939' N 10 5.179' E

9 54 52.923' N 10 5.305' E

9 54 52.821' N 10 5.659' E

9 54 52.635' N 10 5.808' E

9 54 52.6' N 10 5.883' E

10 54 55.306' N 10 14.667' E

10 54 55.217' N 10 14.732' E

10 54 55.14' N 10 14.777' E

10 54 55.089' N 10 14.88' E

10 54 54.692' N 10 14.915' E

10 54 54.739' N 10 14.421' E

10 54 55.758' N 10 13.576' E

10 54 55.263' N 10 14.729' E

10 54 55.818' N 10 14.632' E

10 54 55.758' N 10 13.576' E

10 54 55.643' N 10 14.649' E

10 54 55.577' N 10 14.629' E

10 54 55.48' N 10 14.561' E

10 54 55.428' N 10 14.629' E

10 54 55.342' N 10 14.641' E

11 54 59.867' N 10 10.894' E

11 54 58.931' N 10 10.949' E

11 54 59.498' N 10 11.882' E

11 55 0.436' N 10 10.201' E

11 55 0.592' N 10 10.779' E

11 55 0.436' N 10 10.201' E


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12 55 1.129' N 10 10.216' E

12 55 0.773' N 10 10.374' E

12 55 0.577' N 10 9.259' E

12 55 0.846' N 10 8.761' E

12 55 0.95' N 10 8.784' E

12 55 1.389' N 10 8.149' E

12 55 1.738' N 10 8.665' E

12 55 1.835' N 10 8.986' E

12 55 1.602' N 10 9.315' E

12 55 1.852' N 10 10.252' E

12 55 1.586' N 10 10.865' E

12 55 1.586' N 10 10.865' E

13 54 57.138' N 10 1.498' E

13 54 56.926' N 10 1.595' E

13 54 56.67' N 10 1.883' E

13 54 56.536' N 10 2.003' E

13 54 56.8' N 10 2.747' E

13 54 57.047' N 10 2.535' E

13 54 57.311' N 10 2.159' E

13 54 56.751' N 10 1.792' E

13 54 56.583' N 10 2.572' E

13 54 57.024' N 10 1.573' E

13 54 57.311' N 10 2.159' E

13 54 57.344' N 10 1.985' E

14 54 59.342' N 9 59.98' E

14 54 59.306' N 9 59.73' E

14 54 59.188' N 9 59.647' E

14 54 59.342' N 9 59.98' E

14 54 57.67' N 10 1.436' E

14 54 59.018' N 9 59.858' E

14 54 58.912' N 9 59.993' E

14 54 58.748' N 10 0.122' E

14 54 58.697' N 10 0.19' E

14 54 57.731' N 10 0.913' E

14 54 58.77' N 10 1.091' E

14 54 57.934' N 10 0.78' E

14 54 58.163' N 10 0.584' E

14 54 58.329' N 10 0.464' E

14 54 57.837' N 10 1.797' E

14 54 59.159' N 9 59.713' E

15 55 7.061' N 9 58.268' E

15 55 7.371' N 9 58.186' E

15 55 7.425' N 9 57.391' E

15 55 7.425' N 9 57.391' E

15 55 7.04' N 9 57.371' E

16 55 6.926' N 9 56.402' E

16 55 6.581' N 9 56.535' E

16 55 6.724' N 9 55.371' E

16 55 6.917' N 9 55.374' E

16 55 6.917' N 9 55.374' E

16 55 7.086' N 9 55.828' E

17 55 5.687' N 9 52.437' E

17 55 6.623' N 9 54.685' E

17 55 5.243' N 9 54.787' E

17 55 5.651' N 9 56.322' E

17 55 5.266' N 9 55.606' E

17 55 5.334' N 9 54.238' E

17 55 5.687' N 9 52.437' E

17 55 5.357' N 9 53.259' E

17 55 6.141' N 9 56.307' E

17 55 6.478' N 9 55.548' E

18 55 4.505' N 9 52.71' E

18 55 5.288' N 9 54.25' E

18 55 5.021' N 9 54.969' E

18 55 4.153' N 9 53.836' E

18 55 4.365' N 9 52.05' E

18 55 4.829' N 9 51.488' E

18 55 4.595' N 9 51.553' E

18 55 5.288' N 9 54.25' E

18 55 5.3' N 9 52.485' E

18 55 5.076' N 9 51.644' E

19 55 1.54' N 9 55.631' E

19 55 1.138' N 9 54.303' E

19 55 1.54' N 9 55.631' E

19 55 1.616' N 9 54.495' E

19 55 1.657' N 9 53.627' E

19 55 1.365' N 9 53.469' E

19 55 1.215' N 9 53.886' E

19 55 1.174' N 9 54.05' E

19 55 1.136' N 9 54.77' E

19 55 1.174' N 9 55.102' E

19 55 1.546' N 9 53.513' E

19 55 1.154' N 9 55.437' E

19 55 1.272' N 9 55.766' E

19 55 1.127' N 9 54.513' E

20 54 55.327' N 10 2.909' E

20 54 55.865' N 10 2.968' E

20 54 55.043' N 10 4.181' E

20 54 56.032' N 10 3.14' E

20 54 55.263' N 10 4.343' E

20 54 54.879' N 10 3.415' E

20 54 56.029' N 10 3.434' E

20 54 56.032' N 10 3.14' E

21 55 4.083' N 9 48.621' E

21 55 3.677' N 9 49.439' E

21 55 3.472' N 9 50.486' E

21 55 3.62' N 9 50.547' E

21 55 4.46' N 9 49.517' E

21 55 3.434' N 9 49.936' E

21 55 4.46' N 9 49.517' E

22 54 52.703' N 9 37.962' E

22 54 52.556' N 9 38.113' E

22 54 52.703' N 9 37.962' E

22 54 52.674' N 9 37.675' E

22 54 52.563' N 9 37.608' E

22 54 52.437' N 9 37.66' E

22 54 52.419' N 9 37.969' E

23 55 1.982' N 9 53.721' E

23 55 3.253' N 9 51.284' E

23 55 2.963' N 9 51.067' E

23 55 2.734' N 9 51.219' E

23 55 2.675' N 9 51.294' E


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23 55 2.419' N 9 51.517' E

23 55 2.337' N 9 51.79' E

23 55 2.056' N 9 52.057' E

23 55 1.651' N 9 52.695' E

23 55 1.699' N 9 53.646' E

23 55 2.366' N 9 53.366' E

23 55 3.278' N 9 52.154' E

23 55 3.253' N 9 51.284' E

24 55 7.248' N 10 1.614' E

24 55 7.217' N 10 1.481' E

24 55 7.247' N 10 1.341' E

24 55 7.18' N 10 1.006' E

24 55 6.396' N 10 1.726' E

24 55 6.133' N 10 2.688' E

24 55 6.346' N 10 3.264' E

24 55 6.46' N 10 3.326' E

24 55 7.281' N 10 1.685' E

24 55 7.248' N 10 1.614' E

24 55 6.842' N 10 2.743' E

25 54 58.043' N 10 11.492' E

25 54 58.068' N 10 11.479' E

25 54 58.489' N 10 11.412' E

25 54 58.689' N 10 11.455' E

25 54 58.763' N 10 11.491' E

25 54 59.001' N 10 11.714' E

25 54 59.027' N 10 12.099' E

25 54 58.305' N 10 12.475' E

25 54 58.32' N 10 12.336' E

25 54 58.24' N 10 12.261' E

25 54 58.131' N 10 12.25' E

25 54 58.094' N 10 12.264' E

25 54 58.01' N 10 12.268' E

25 54 57.94' N 10 12.311' E

25 54 57.901' N 10 12.35' E

25 54 57.79' N 10 12.371' E

25 54 57.698' N 10 12.471' E

25 54 57.618' N 10 12.585' E

25 54 57.479' N 10 12.689' E

25 54 57.368' N 10 12.942' E

25 54 57.216' N 10 13.195' E

25 54 57.142' N 10 13.323' E

25 54 57.017' N 10 13.555' E

25 54 56.931' N 10 13.616' E

25 54 56.836' N 10 13.829' E

25 54 56.65' N 10 14.154' E

25 54 56.504' N 10 14.357' E

25 54 56.016' N 10 14.196' E

25 54 56.017' N 10 13.938' E

25 54 56.047' N 10 13.818' E

25 54 56.047' N 10 13.728' E

25 54 56.074' N 10 13.63' E

25 54 56.105' N 10 13.588' E

25 54 56.157' N 10 13.548' E

25 54 56.193' N 10 13.538' E

25 54 56.211' N 10 13.491' E

25 54 56.239' N 10 13.439' E

25 54 56.316' N 10 13.38' E

25 54 56.351' N 10 13.235' E

25 54 56.406' N 10 13.156' E

25 54 56.661' N 10 13.088' E

25 54 56.735' N 10 13.174' E

25 54 56.76' N 10 13.272' E

25 54 56.873' N 10 13.244' E

25 54 57.033' N 10 13.114' E

25 54 57.061' N 10 13.077' E

25 54 57.111' N 10 12.976' E

25 54 57.174' N 10 12.908' E

25 54 57.206' N 10 12.819' E

25 54 57.291' N 10 12.683' E

25 54 57.287' N 10 12.589' E

25 54 57.295' N 10 12.529' E

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25 54 57.359' N 10 12.384' E

25 54 57.406' N 10 12.321' E

25 54 57.488' N 10 12.204' E

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25 54 57.678' N 10 12.02' E

25 54 57.702' N 10 11.997' E

25 54 57.729' N 10 11.947' E

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25 54 57.772' N 10 11.893' E

25 54 57.781' N 10 11.867' E

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25 54 57.861' N 10 11.748' E

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25 54 57.897' N 10 11.718' E

25 54 57.923' N 10 11.655' E

25 54 58.021' N 10 11.512' E

25 54 58.043' N 10 11.492' E

25 54 56.947' N 10 13.256' E

26 55 2.406' N 9 55.459' E

26 55 3.147' N 9 53.862' E

26 55 3.758' N 9 54.315' E

26 55 3.835' N 9 55.545' E

26 55 3.734' N 9 55.911' E

26 55 4.09' N 9 56.653' E

26 55 3.017' N 9 58.579' E

26 55 2.908' N 9 59.105' E

26 55 2.694' N 9 59.185' E

26 55 2.125' N 10 0.197' E

26 55 1.798' N 10 0.078' E

26 55 1.731' N 9 59.062' E

26 55 2.174' N 9 58.022' E

26 55 2.093' N 9 57.502' E

26 55 2.11' N 9 56.562' E

26 55 2.406' N 9 55.459' E

27 55 6.18' N 10 3.938' E

27 55 5.344' N 10 4.361' E

27 55 5.256' N 10 4.302' E


93

27 55 5.201' N 10 4.182' E

27 55 5.138' N 10 4.192' E

27 55 5.093' N 10 4.24' E

27 55 4.832' N 10 4.315' E

27 55 4.606' N 10 4.339' E

27 55 4.549' N 10 4.435' E

27 55 4.525' N 10 4.62' E

27 55 4.284' N 10 4.335' E

27 55 4.329' N 10 3.358' E

27 55 4.686' N 10 3.222' E

27 55 5.106' N 10 3.562' E

27 55 5.274' N 10 2.929' E

27 55 5.45' N 10 2.804' E

27 55 5.751' N 10 2.814' E

27 55 6.18' N 10 3.938' E

28 55 3.933' N 10 5.745' E

28 55 3.835' N 10 7.238' E

28 55 3.602' N 10 7.282' E

28 55 3.373' N 10 6.635' E

28 55 2.859' N 10 7.445' E

28 55 2.581' N 10 7.321' E

28 55 2.027' N 10 6.512' E

28 55 2.053' N 10 5.121' E

28 55 2.826' N 10 3.918' E

28 55 3.022' N 10 4.233' E

28 55 3.283' N 10 5.237' E

28 55 3.481' N 10 5.27' E

28 55 3.933' N 10 5.745' E


94

Annex J - Fishery data: Description of methods

This Annex describes the methods used in the analyses of fishing activity in and around the Natura 2000

sites covered in the present proposal. Fishery data in terms of logbook and VMS data have been forwarded

by Swedish fishery authorities for the period 2011-2015 and by German fishery authorities for the period

2011-2015 upon special request. Fishery data has also been forwarded by Polish fishery authorities for the

period 2011-2015, where Estonian fishery data has been forwarded for the period 2010-2012.

The Danish Technical University, Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) has carried out the analyses

for the Danish AgriFish Agency in accordance with the Commissions guidelines from 2008 “Fisheries

measures for marine Natura 2000 sites – A consistent approach to request for fisheries management

measures under the Common Fisheries Policy”. Special focus has been given to the impact the proposed

fishery management measures might have on current fishing activities in and around the concerned Natura

2000 sites.

The Natura 2000 sites in which fishery management measures are proposed are located in several ICES

squares. By combining logbook data and VMS pings, fishing intensity for a smaller area, such as a Natura

2000 site, can be estimated. Methods for working with the combined logbook/VMS data have been

developed during the EU project “Development of tools for logbook and VMS data analysis” (No

Mare/2008/10 Lot2), resulting in the R-package VMS tools. This method has also been recommended by

the ICES groups SGVMS/WGSFD. DTU Aqua’s analysis of fishery data in relation to present proposal follows

these recommendations.

Description of methods

VMS data have been merged with logbook data using vessel-id and date as a unique key. The combined

data give information on gear types used in each trip and information about vessel-id, position, time and

speed.

When the gear type is known, a speed filter can be applied to the VMS data, whereby only the active

fishing operations are analyzed. The speed filters used in this analysis are based on speed histograms

given by gear groups. Two examples of speed histograms for bottom trawls and nets are displayed below

in figure 1 and 2.

Figure 1 and 2. Speed histograms for bottom trawls and net types


95

The table below shows the speed filters used in analyses carried out in relation to the present proposal.

Gear group Gear codes Min speed Max

speed

Dredge DRB, DRO, DRC, BMS 2 4.5

Bottom trawls OTB, OTT, PTB, TBN,

TBS

2 4

Beam trawl TBB 2 4

Pelagic trawls OTM, PTM 2 4

Lines LH, LHP, LL, LLD, LLS,

LX

0 0.1

Traps FPO, FYK, FPN 0 4

Nets GTR, GNS, GND, GN 0 4

Anchored seine SDN 0 4

Fly shooting seine SSC 0 4

Purse seine PS 0 4

An uncertainty in this method is that the speed filters applied, are very general. However, it is the

experience of DTU Aqua that the above given speed filters give a good overall picture of the fishing activity

subdivisions 22-24. Another challenge with the data set is that VMS was only mandatory for vessels >=15

m overall length (oal) in 2011, however in 2012 VMS became mandatory for vessels >=12 m oal. For

Danish vessels in 2011, 45% of the landing weight from subdivisions 22-24 was from vessels without VMS,

in 2012 the percentage was 25, in 2013 20 and in 2014 24. For the 2015 the value was 21.


96

Description of data: VMS and logbook data for DK, SE and DE vessels [to be updated with PL, EE data]

German data includes landing data for the Natura 2000 sites and VMS positions within the Natura 2000

sites for the years 2011-2015 and fishing effort data per 0.05 degrees squares in the Danish EEZ. The

Swedish data included summarized weight and values for the Natura 2000 sites concerned (given for the

entire fleet). Swedish VMS positions has also been provided for the years 2011-2015.

In the Danish data, mobile bottom contacting gears are defined as Bottom trawls, Beam trawls, Anchored

Seines, Fly shooting seines and Dredges. Other gears include Nets, Lines, Pelagic trawls, Traps and Purse

seines. In the German data mobile bottom contacting gears are defined as OTB, PTB, SSC, TBB, DRB and

SDN. Other gears include GNS, GTR, OTM and PTM. In the Polish data mobile bottom contacting gears

are defined as OTB. The Polish data was sent to Denmark for the area defined as D7, which covers 1/9

ICES square 38G4. The site ‘Adler Grund and Rønne Banke, however, also covers a small part of ICES

square 39G4.

Description of data: Landing weight and values for DK, SE and DE

In order to assess the impact of the proposed fisheries management measures, landings weight and value

need to be assessed per Natura 2000 site for different gear groups.

Logbooks contain information about landed weight by species while sales notes data includes weight and

value by species per fishing trip.

For the Danish data, DTU Aqua has merged these estimates to distribute the value on the trip

proportionally to the landings weight. The dataset including species, weight and value is then merged with

the VMS positions by vessel-id and date. This means that the weight and value by species is distributed

evenly out on VMS positions where fishing activity is assumed, by vessel-id and date.

The landings and values by species within a Natura 2000 site can then be summarized (see section 6.2).

An average exchange rate of 7.45 DKK/EUR has been used in the analyses.

The Swedish data on landings in the Natura 2000 sites were received as landed kg per year per Natura

2000 site, DCF level 6 metier and species. The data used is based on Swedish logbooks, which include

fishing event positions. The dataset covers the whole Swedish fleet, thus also landings from smaller vessels

<12 meters. To estimate the value of the Swedish landings, the species prices per kg from the Danish

landings have been used.

The German data was sent to Denmark with number of vessels, fishing hours, total value, total weight

and landings by species by year, Natura 2000 site, gear and vessel length for the years 2010-2015.

The Polish data was sent to Denmark for the area defined as D7 (Annex K, figure 1), which covers 1/9

ICES rectangle 38G4. The site ‘Adler Grund and Rønne Banke, however, also covers a small part of ICES

rectangle 39G4. In addition parts of the shown Polish landings may be from fishing outside the Natura

2000 site. Data covers number of vessels, number of fishing hours, total value, total weight and landings

by species by year, Natura 2000 site, gear and vessel length for the years 2012-2015.

Annex K shows the landings from the three Natura 2000 sites compared to the total fishery in subdivisions

22-24. In total for Danish vessels, they contribute to 6.07 % of the landings from subdivisions 22-24 from

vessels with VMS when looking at the average of 2011-2015 landings. The value of the landings for the 3

Natura 2000 sites contribute to 6.11 % of the value of landings from subdivisions 22-24 from vessels with

VMS when looking at the average of the value of landings in 2011-2015. In Annex K, landings and value of

landings for the three Natura 2000 sites is shown by year, gear group and species.

The Swedish vessels have landings with a value of 2927 euro on average for 2011-2015 from the site

‘Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’. German vessels have landings from all three sites, with annual variations.

In Flensborg Fjord, the average value of the landings from German vessels in 2011-2015 was 46977 euro.


97

Annex K - Total landings and catch value per Member State per Natura

2000 site

This annex contains information of total landings (bottom trawls) and catch value per Member State per

site per year (table 1-13) and at species level per country per site per year (table 14-18).

Data in the following tables are not specified with thousands-seperator. All the values are in total

kilograms.

Table 1: Total landings (kg) from Danish vessels in the Western Baltic Sea 2011-2015

Vessel type/Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean (2011-2015)

Vessels with VMS 14,037,181 18,549,678 22,246,968 15,462,111 17,326,275 17,524,443

Other vessels 11,572,859 6,257,508 5,706,704 4,930,691 4,486,854 6,590,923

Sum 25,610,040 24,807,186 27,953,672 20,392,802 21,813,129 24,115,366

Table 2: Total landings (kg) from Danish vessels in the three Natura 2000 sites

N2000 area/Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean (2011-2015)

Adler Grund og Rønne

Banke 1,143 35,508 1,276 8,783 1,248 9,592

Centrale Storebælt 153,432 177,243 402,320 270,787 766,338 354,024

Flensborg Fjord 1,369,233 796,330 790,650 263,345 276,839 699,279

Table 3: Total landings (kg) from Swedish vessels in the three Natura 2000 sites

N2000 area/Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean (2011-2015)

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 8,000 0 3,495 0 0 2.299

Flensborg Fjord 0 0 0 0 0 0

Centrale Storebælt 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 4: Total landings (kg) from bottom trawls for German vessels in the three Natura 2000

sites

Natura 2000 site/year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean (2011-2015)


1,049 41,087 154 119 0 8,482


4,040 0 0 0 0 808

Flensborg Fjord 98,388 34,657 111,298 72,681 73,642 78,133


98

Tabel 5: Total landings (kg) from bottom trawls for Estonian vessels in the Natura 2000 site

‘Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’

Natura 2000 site/Year 2010 2012 Mean

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 145 2.417 1.281

Tabel 6: Total landings (kg) from bottom trawls for Polish vessels in the Natura 2000 site ‘Adler

Grund og Rønne Banke’ (D7) see figure 1

Natura 2000 site/Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 0 7,428 21,185 475 0 5.818

Table 7: Value of the total landings (EUR) from Danish vessels in the Western Baltic

Vessel type/Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean (2011-2015)

Vessels with VMS 8,408,763 13,803,121 13,689,495 10,655,961 12,154,234 11,742,315

Other vessels 15,759,031 11,711,196 10,529,810 9,121,201 9,221,008 11,268,449

Sum 24,167,794 25,514,317 24,219,305 19,777,162 21,375,242 23,010,764

Table 8: Value of the total landings (EUR) from Danish vessels in the three Natura 2000 sites

Natura 2000 site/Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean (2011-2015)

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 1,271 47,483 1,504 13,694 717 12,934

Centrale Storebælt 199,333 317,309 407,504 424,917 604,266 390,666

Flensborg Fjord 370,018 607,521 583,964 269,903 326,348 431,551

Table 9: Value of the landings (EUR) from Danish vessels in the three Natura 2000 sites:

Natura 2000 site EUR 2011

EUR 2012

EUR 2013

EUR 2014

EUR 2015

Mean (2011-2015)


Bundtrawl Atlantic Cod 300 41,099 1,393 13,483 535 11,362

Atlantic Herring 0 0 0 0 5 1

European Flounder 0 28 32 50 3 22

European Plaice 0 269 53 17 22 72

Saithe 0 0 0 21 0 4

Sandeels 0 0 0 0 125 25

Turbot 0 6 23 61 12 20

Whiting 0 26 3 62 15 21

Pelagisk trawl Atlantic Cod 922 0 0 0 0 184

Atlantic Herring 0 6,056 0 0 0 1,211



99



Bundtrawl Atlantic Cod 154,925 129,616 165,026 224,912 195,437 173,983

Atlantic Halibut 0 0 9 28 14 10

Atlantic Herring 0 0 915 0 2,325 648

Brill 3,061 4,971 4,133 3,199 2,943 3,661

Common Dab 3,640 7,879 4,296 4,020 3,721 4,711

Common Sole 10,117 26,311 23,956 30,918 46,048 27,470

European Anchovy 0 0 0 0 6 1

European Flounder 1,950 9,040 16,778 18,055 4,403 10,045

European Hake 0 0 17 29 10 11

European Plaice 8,109 32,821 30,684 37,549 55,460 32,925

Haddock 11 0 0 5 11 6

Lemon Sole 370 1,244 1,129 994 1,187 985

Ling 44 37 51 55 87 55

Lumpfish 789 376 335 2,628 3,255 1,477

Norway Lobster 0 0 673 0 0 135

Saithe 0 0 8 3 55 13

Sea Trout 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sprat 10,006 4,650 19,012 0 15,992 9,932

Tub Gurnard 0 4 7 14 31 11

Turbot 2,592 3,970 3,668 5,339 4,269 3,968

Unknown Species 3 20 10 13 0 9

Whiting 1 0 51 0 3 11

Garn Atlantic Cod 0 41,043 83,261 84,729 119,540 65,715

Atlantic Mackerel 0 38 0 0 0 8

Brill 0 3,252 1,461 705 5,693 2,222

Common Dab 0 1,703 1,566 590 1,005 973

Common Sole 0 31,379 11,164 4,745 13,481 12,154

European Eel 0 0 0 0 123 25

European Flounder 0 924 1,167 387 69 509

European Plaice 0 10,380 5,929 3,590 9,967 5,973

Lemon Sole 0 111 174 60 60 81

Ling 0 46 305 535 92 196

Lumpfish 0 1,137 343 560 2,691 946

Saithe 0 0 0 55 2,444 500

Turbot 0 2,671 696 389 980 947



Atlantic Herring 0 0 1,106 0 16,962 3,614

Brill 0 0 123 39 0 32

Common Dab 0 0 28 0 17 9

Common Sole 0 0 310 78 0 78




Sprat 3,715 3,573 28,173 0 95,520 26,196

Turbot 0 0 17 41 0 12

Whiting 0 0 95 0 11 21


100

Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als

Bundtrawl Atlantic Cod 29,410 348,216 287,512 166,020 186,017 203,435


Brill 1,469 692 990 412 411 795

Common Dab 2,621 22,490 15,889 9,705 10,313 12,204

Common Sole 162 267 423 388 193 287



European Plaice 11,693 105,675 112,395 73,266 108,834 82,372

Haddock 0 3 3 4 21 6

Lemon Sole 55 887 1,833 666 557 799

Lumpfish 18 145 114 118 475 174

Mullets 2 6 3 0 0 2

Saithe 0 3 4 28 11 9

Sea Trout 11 2 0 0 0 3

Sprat 0 0 0 348 0 70

Turbot 401 2,129 2,642 1,429 1,345 1,589

Whiting 130 60 602 125 58 195

Pelagisk trawl Atlantic Cod 1,312 1,122 346 0 0 556

Atlantic Herring 0 0 12,315 0 6 2,464

Brill 7 0 0 0 0 1

Sprat 321,515 93,887 127,206 0 4,925 109,507

Sticklebacks 0 12,850 0 0 0 2,570

Whiting 0 0 136 0 2 28


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Table 10: Value of the landings (EUR) from bottom trawls for Swedish vessels in the three

Natura 2000 sites


Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 10,407 0 4,228 0 0 2,927

Flensborg Fjord og havet omkring Als 0 0 0 0 0 0

Centrale Storebælt og Vresen 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table 11: Value of the landings (EUR) from German vessels in the three Natura 2000 sites


(2011-2015)

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 1,059 56,945 197 139 0 11,668


10,048 0 0 0 0 2,010

Flensborg Fjord 48,530 35,473 56,930 37,591 56,363 46,977

Table 12: Value of the landings (EUR) from Estonian vessels in the Natura 2000 site ‘Adler

Grund og Rønne Banke’

Natura 2000 site/Year 2010 2012 Mean

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 159 2.861 1.510

Table 13: Value of the landings (EUR) from Polish vessels for the Natura 2000 site ‘Adler Grund

og Rønne Banke (D7) see figure 1


Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 0 4,983 32,851 114 0 7,589


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Table 14: Weight (kg) of landings per specie level from Danish vessels by year (2010-2015)

Natura 2000 site KG

2011 KG

2012 KG

2013 KG

2014 KG

2015

Mean (2011-2015)


Bundtrawl

Atlantic Cod 269 24,54

5 1,102 8,470 522 6,981




Saithe 0 0 0 33 0 7

Sandeels 0 0 0 0 642 128

Turbot 0 1 6 14 3 5

Whiting 0 26 5 98 17 29


Atlantic Herring 0 10,61

0 0 0 0 2,122


European Plaice 24 0 0 0 0 5 Centrale Storebælt og Vresen

Bundtrawl

Atlantic Cod 77,224 60,42

8 95,05

1 123,9

54 82,24

9 87,781

Atlantic Halibut 0 0 1 3 2 1

Atlantic Herring 0 0 2,771 0 9,624 2,479

Brill 448 821 636 447 560 582

Common Dab 4,968 9,887 6,209 5,304 4,468 6,167

Common Sole 808 2,076 1,893 2,672 3,645 2,219


European Flounder 3,247 15,77

7 30,33

3 30,84

4 11,73

6 18,387

European Hake 0 0 13 33 7 11

European Plaice 7,759 29,76

0 31,10

7 40,68

4 50,31

1 31,924

Haddock 14 0 1 6 12 7

Lemon Sole 69 305 219 190 211 199

Ling 16 12 30 22 48 25

Lumpfish 214 40 51 1,221 1,384 582

Norway Lobster 0 0 105 0 0 21

Saithe 0 0 6 7 39 10

Sea Trout 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sprat 42,852 13,36

0 63,88

4 0 66,19

1 37,257

Tub Gurnard 0 2 2 6 24 7

Turbot 292 557 481 601 549 496


Whiting 1 0 168 1 3 35

Garn


103

Atlantic Cod 0 16,05

2 54,73

9 58,04

2 51,71

4 36,109

Atlantic Mackerel 0 14 0 0 0 3

Brill 0 606 283 108 952 390

Common Dab 0 2,085 2,214 789 1,236 1,265

Common Sole 0 1,993 809 334 860 799


European Flounder 0 1,498 1,935 624 145 840

European Plaice 0 8,905 5,999 3,544 8,391 5,368

Lemon Sole 0 26 31 12 8 15

Ling 0 17 166 223 42 90

Lumpfish 0 324 104 582 1,012 404

Saithe 0 0 0 71 1,790 372

Turbot 0 530 111 42 117 160



Atlantic Herring 0 0 3,542 0 71,32

6 14,974

Brill 0 0 14 4 0 4

Common Dab 0 0 34 0 19 11

Common Sole 0 0 20 5 0 5




Sprat 15,517 12,13

0 98,19

4 0 397,0

62 104,580

Turbot 0 0 2 3 0 1

Whiting 0 0 339 0 46 77 Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als

Bundtrawl

Atlantic Cod 16,004 187,6

32 183,1

88 113,1

10 88,17

6 117,622


Brill 269 122 175 66 100 146

Common Dab 4,504 31,95

0 28,61

4 18,01

9 15,73

0 19,763

Common Sole 12 20 32 34 17 23


European Flounder 2,609 38,77

5 46,85

9 34,39

2 35,36

4 31,600

European Plaice 11,629 105,1

66 129,8

73 95,62

8 118,3

65 92,132

Haddock 0 3 2 9 20 7

Lemon Sole 11 190 347 124 98 154

Lumpfish 8 23 14 80 243 74

Mullets 1 4 2 0 0 1

Saithe 0 3 4 80 10 19

Sea Trout 3 1 0 0 0 1

Sprat 0 0 0 1,358 0 272

Turbot 52 352 404 199 217 245

Whiting 286 96 1,246 247 123 400


104


Atlantic Herring 0 0 35,25

7 0 21 7,056

Brill 1 0 0 0 0 0

Sprat 1,333,2

06 379,6

41 364,0

67 0 18,34

6 419,052

Sticklebacks 0 51,74

9 0 0 0 10,350

Whiting 0 0 390 0 8 79


105

Map showing fishing activity with mobile bottom contacting gears in Danish EEZ in and around the Natura 2000 site ‘Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’


106


107


108


109

Table 15: Weight (kg) and value (€) of landings from Swedish vessels by year (2010-2015)

Natura 2000 site 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

KG EUR KG EUR KG EUR KG EUR KG EUR


Bottom trawl

Atlantic Cod 8000 10407 0 0 3495 4228 0 0 0 0

Gillnet

Atlantic Cod 0 0 57 60 0 0 0 0 0 0

European Flounder 0 0 80 48 0 0 285 142 0 0

European Plaice 0 0 9751 11954 210 254 229 258 0 0

Longlines

Atlantic Cod 0 0 0 0 9619 11636 0 0 0 0

Pelagic trawl

Atlantic Cod 0 0 0 0 0 0 600 143

Atlantic Herring 0 0 0 0 0 0 36000 14203

Sprat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


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Table 16: Weight (kg) of landings from German vessels by year (2010-2015)

Natura 2000 site KG 2011

KG 2012

KG 2013

KG 2014

KG 2015

Mean (2011-2015)


Bottom trawl Atlantic Cod 855 40,626 123 24 0 8,326

Common Dab 1 2 0 50 0 11



Saithe 0 0 0 1 0 0

Turbot 9 3 0 0 0 2

Whiting 6 2 0 0 0 2


Bottom trawl

Atlantic Cod 655 0 0 0 0 131

Brill 93 0 0 0 0 19

Common Dab 282 0 0 0 0 56

Common Sole 529 0 0 0 0 106

European Flounder 1,313 0 0 0 0 263

European Plaice 1,088 0 0 0 0 218

Haddock 12 0 0 0 0 2

Lemon Sole 11 0 0 0 0 2

Lumpfish 4 0 0 0 0 1

Turbot 53 0 0 0 0 11

Flensborg Fjord

Bottom trawl

Atlantic Cod 4,990 9,858 8,526 6,667 4,596 6,927

Atlantic Herring 3,496 2,863 15,420 10,442 5,362 7,517

Brill 89 4 3 1 19

Common Dab 4,790 6,185 3,199 5,885 15,594 7,131

Common Sole 14 36 3 5 6 13

European Anchovy 0 0 18,904 0 2,177 4,216


European Plaice 5,809 8,961 6,433 5,447 16,191 8,568

Haddock 11 0 0 120 5 27

Jack and horse mackerels ne 0 0 17,765 9,676 0 5,488

Lemon Sole 1 0 16 2 0 4

Saithe 0 0 0 29 2 6

Sandeels 0 0 2,761 0 0 552

Sprat 26,010 21,616 12,892 19,654 16,034

Turbot 112 23 25 34 90 57

Whiting 43,922 41 10,603 18,499 4,054 15,424

Witch Flounder 0 0 2 6 8 3


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Table 17: Weight (kg) and value (€) of landings from Estonian vessels by year (2010-2012) for

the Natura 2000 site ‘Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’

Natura 2000 site Weight (kg)

Estimated value

(DKK)

Estimated value

(EUR)

2010

Cod Pelagic trawl 38G4 145 1182 159

2012

Cod

Bottom trawl 38G4 1657 14643 1965

39G4(24) 760 6675 896

Table 18: Weight (kg) and value (€) of landings from Polish vessels by year (2012-2015) for the

Natura 2000 site ‘Adler Grund og Rønne Banke’ (D7) see figure 1

Year Gear code Species Landing, sales notes

(kg)

Value (PLN)

Value (DKK)

Value (EUR)

2012 Bottom trawl (OTB)

Cod 3043 18808 33488 4495

Flounder 825 1650 2938 394

Plaice 125 312.5 556 75

Turbot 10 80 142 19

Bottom trawl (OTB) and gillnet (GNS)

Flounder 1050 takeover takeover takeover

Plaice 2375 takeover takeover takeover

2013 Bottom trawl (OTB)

Cod 18260 133772 237675 31903

Flounder 2925 3975 7062 948

2014 Bottom trawl

(OTB) Flounder 475 475 846 114

2015 Midwater trawl (OTM)

Herring 9752 8192 14586 1958

Sandeel 3250 2334 4156 558

Sprat 9250 6582 11720 1573


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Figure 1: Map showing the Polish subarea D7 within ICES rectangle 38G4


113

Annex L - Fishery effort

Fishery effort can be expressed as VMS effort to give an indication of where in a given area, fishery takes

place and at what intensity. DTU Aqua has analyzed fishery effort in relation to the present proposal for

Danish, Swedish and German vessels.

Danish vessels

VMS effort is expressed as VMS point*VMS interval*kW of the vessel for each VMS ping classified as fishing

activity. As the VMS interval for Danish vessels is one hour, it will be expressed as VMS point*kW. In 2011,

the VMS data are available for vessels >=15 m, whereas in 2012 the VMS data are available for vessels

>=12 m. To make a VMS effort estimate that is comparable between years, the amount of extra effort that

the vessels of length 12-15 meters are adding to the 2012 data, can be expressed as (VMS*kW 12-

15m)/(VMS*kW >=15m). This gives the factor 0.494 for bottom contacting mobile gear groups, and the

factor 0.086 for other gear groups. The 2011 data have been raised by these factors accordingly.

The average VMS effort within cell sizes of 2000 m for the years 2011-2015 is shown in the maps below

(figure 1) for bottom contacting mobile gear groups and other gear groups for Danish vessels for the Baltic

area.

Figure 1. Distribution of Danish fishing VMS effort (Number of VMS recordings * vessel kW) by

gear group given as an average for the period 2011-2015


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The tables below (table 1 and 2) show fishing activity for Danish vessels in the three Natura 2000 sites in

relation to fishery in the Baltic Sea in general based on VMS effort.

Table 1. Average (2011-2015) VMS effort inside the Natura 2000 sites and the stone reef buffer

zones, relatively to the total VMS effort in the Baltic Sea for Danish vessels with mobile bottom

contacting gears.

Natura 2000 site Stone reef buffer

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 0.088 0.021

Centrale Storebælt og Vresen 2.901 0.731

Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als 4.663 0.074

Total 7.653 0.826


115

Table 2. Average (2011-2015) VMS effort inside the Natura 2000 sites and the stone reef buffer

zones, relatively to the total VMS effort in the Baltic Sea for Danish vessels with other gear

groups.

Natura 2000 site Stone reef buffer

Adler Grund og Rønne Banke 0.121 0.016

Centrale Storebælt og Vresen 3.977 2.285

Flensborg Fjord, Bredgrund og farvandet omkring Als 4.079 0.142

Total 8.177 2.443

The maps in figure 1 and data in table 1 and 2 clearly show the very low fishing effort within the Natura

2000 sites when looking at Danish vessels above 12 meters.

Swedish vessels

The forwarded Swedish VMS data contains information on position, date, speed, VMS interval, vessel kW,

kW hours, gear and DCF level 6 metier for the years 2011-2015, and could be processed the same way as

the Danish data.

The Swedish VMS data has variable ping-period with values between 0.25 or 1. The VMS effort for the

Swedish data is calculated as VMS ping*kW*ping period. An average VMS effort map for the years 2011-

2015 is calculated in the same way as for the Danish vessels, see figure 2.

Figure 3. Distribution of Swedish fishing VMS effort (Number of VMS recordings * vessel kW *

ping-period) by gear group in the Baltic Sea area given as an average for the period 2011-2015


116

Figure 4. Distribution of German fishing VMS effort by gear groups given as an average for the

period 2010-2015


117

German data

The German effort data is given for the years 2012-2015 and contains information on effort hours and kW

fishing hours for the gear groups DTS (Demersal Trawlers and Seiners), PTS (Pelagic trawlers and Seiners)

and PG (Passive Gears). The spatial information is given as C-squares, which is a reference system, at a

resolution of 0.05 degrees. The data is split into Mobile Bottom Contacting Gears and Other Gears, and the

kW fishing hours is averaged for the years 2012-2015.